Connection – What Is It?

Simply put, a connected team is a cohesive team. In the performance world, we break cohesion

down into two different types: task cohesion and social cohesion.

Task cohesion refers to a team’s “chemistry” on the court/field/ice/etc. This typically shows up

in the form of a team who displays good fundamental understanding of the game and few

technical mistakes. Task cohesion means people know where they’re supposed to be, where

their teammates should be, and what everybody is supposed to be doing. We can think of task

cohesion as an understanding of the X’s and O’s; the objective part of the game. If the concept

of connection in regards to high performance is like a blanket, think of task cohesion as the

essential fabric. It’s the prerequisite to your tic-tac-toe passing play, your perfectly executed

double play, and your pinpoint 10-yard out-route throw. Typically, this type of cohesion is

influenced through the coaching staff and their attention to detail, along with leaders on the

team.

Social cohesion refers to a team’s “chemistry” off the court/field/ice/etc. This, as you might

guess, can translate into good chemistry on the court/field/ice/etc. Social cohesion typically

shows up in the form of a team who plays with good rhythm and flow, as well as a team that

plays with a high amount of energy, character, and discipline. Being the mental performance

guy here, this concept is of particular interest to me. Social cohesion has little to do with X’s

and O’s; it is the subjective part of the game. It’s the magic in the air when you hear someone

say, “This team is something special.” Contrarily, we all know a team that is loaded with talent,

but egos clash and connectedness suffers. If connection in regards to high performance is like a

blanket, social cohesion is the sewing machine that can either rip that beautiful fabric to shreds,

leave the blanket a frayed, uninspiring mess, or perfectly weave the pieces of fabric into a

championship banner blanket. To the dismay of most coaches, the discretion/prerogatives of

each player largely decides the social cohesion of the team.

The Value of Connection.

The point of discussing this topic is certainly not to decide which type of cohesion is more

important. I think we can clearly see how having one without the other leads to a team that

hasn’t tapped into its full potential. The point is to show just how difficult it is to be a great

team. Further, that being a great team requires a high degree of connectedness. Further yet,

that most teams typically haven’t quite figured out how to grow in this area. In addressing that

problem, which we will in the next section, it’s also important to look at what holds teams back

from connection. I’ve highlighted three primary barriers: 1) Society – our culture of comparison

has too often denied athletes the vulnerability it takes connect with others in the face of

struggle… It is now cool not to care 2) Uninspired athletes- a lack of purpose denies an athlete

of the commitment it takes to forfeit their own interests… Uninspired athletes give uninspired

efforts 3) Poor coaching – At times we’ve all failed as leaders to fully comprehend the privilege

and responsibility we have as coaches, because the attitudes and behaviors we reinforce will

partially determine the future of our athletes… oh snap, details matter.

When I think about teams that win championships, I think about the post-game interviews and

what those close to the team say about the team or its season. It always comes down to some

sort of task or social cohesion.

“That team knew exactly what it needed to do, and it came in and did just that.”

“That group showed so much heart and resilience. They never quit believing in each other.”

“The coaching staff did such a good job of bringing that group together.”

“The veteran leadership took those young guns under their wing from day one and showed

them what it takes to be a professional.”

“Their ability to execute at a high level consistently was the difference in that game.”

OK. You’ve got the point, but it’s so true. The truth is that a connected group cares too much

about each other to be negatively affected by outside distractions, fear, or adversity. A

connected group has built up the equity with each other. A connected group is committed to

each other. A group that lacks connection begins to crack when things go wrong. The examples

are endless. If you want a championship team, you want a cohesive team. Period.

How To Cultivate Connection Coaches, there is great news for you. As mentioned above, you have a large degree of influence in this process. First and foremost, task cohesion begins with the coach. Your

attention to detail, your energy, your standards create the atmosphere for task cohesion. Here

are the ways we see task cohesion created:

Intentional Practice – Focused repetition creates muscle memory for chemistry in games.

Classroom Setting – Teaching the “game within the game” in a non-practice setting allows for

players to understand intricacies that practice time doesn’t allow for.

Begin with High Standards – No one likes a Benedict Arnold… we can’t be their friend right

away and then go rogue when things go poorly because we didn’t establish a strong culture.

Open Gym/Ice/etc. – Athletes gain so much from playing in a non-structured environment

(allows for creativity, extra touches, real-time feedback).

Establish Good Relationships with Leaders – If well-respected players like you, well-respected

players like your standards; if well-respected players like your standards, other players may

follow; try to be authentic…season to taste.

These are all pretty well known ideas, but good ones at that. Better yet, you also have

influence in cultivating social cohesion – but in an indirect way. Take advantage of these tips to

create social cohesion (a.k.a. the secret sauce):

Give Autonomy – Nothing sucks *fun* out of playing more than lack of freedom. *Fun leads to

positive emotions; positive emotions lead to connection. Create adversity – Teams who struggle together become connected over that common adversity – especially when they’ve been through it together before. Early morning challenges/difficult drills/high goals. Proximity – Long bus trips are your friend. Research shows teams that are physically closer will be mentally closer.

Be Positive – Not fake positive, though. Positive as in a believer of your people. That positive

belief creates positive emotions. Positive emotions are associated with better performance.

Better performance creates connection… Yes, winning sure helps.

Encourage/Coordinate Team Bonding – Teams that spend time together away from team

activities get closer. They develop understanding of each other – true chemistry.

Team Activities – Fun activities/challenging activities/live speakers. Common experiences

creates common stories. Common stories create bonds.

Hopefully you’ve noticed a few common themes. If you’ve made it this far, I’ll share with you

the biggest reason why connection is key, which has been sprinkled throughout the article. A

few things create connection: shared experiences such as adversity, winning, and bonding. A

few things create positive emotions, which are associated with higher performance:

overcoming adversity, winning, and bonding. This is no coincidence. Connection creates these

positive emotions more often, because we then get to not only celebrate our own person

successes, but we get to genuinely celebrate our fellow soldier’s successes. Additionally, we

know that when we fail, our fellow soldier’s won’t hold it against us and will pick us back up. To

many, that is a recipe free of fear and regret; and to play with no fear or regret is to be in the

moment, where anything is possible. Alas, all the above intersects with ample talent and

character to bring a team where they didn’t know they could go.

- Austin Hanson 

MindStrong's Mental Performance Coach