5 Common Team Cohesion Challenges (And How to Fix Them Fast)

Let’s be honest — getting a team to work well together isn’t always easy. Even the most passionate, talented people can find themselves misaligned, frustrated, or unclear on what’s expected. And in government agencies, where the stakes are high and resources are tight, that lack of cohesion can have a real impact on outcomes.

After working with leaders and teams for over 20 years in local government, I’ve seen some common team cohesion challenges pop up time and time again. The good news? They’re totally fixable. Here are five of the biggest reasons teams struggle — and what you can do to bring everyone back on track.

1. Unclear Roles and Goals

If people don’t know exactly what they’re responsible for — or how their work contributes to the bigger picture — things can get messy fast. Misalignment leads to frustration.

What helps:

• Define roles clearly. Use team alignment tools like RACI charts or project management software to make expectations visible.
• Check in regularly. A quick weekly sync helps keep everyone on track and connected to the mission.
• Tie tasks to impact. Show team members how their work moves the needle—people stay engaged when they see the difference they make.

2. Not Enough (or Ineffective) Communication

This one’s huge. Miscommunication, assumptions, or just too little interaction can create silos and slow everything down. And let’s face it — email chains aren’t going to fix that. In fact, they often make things worse, especially when tone gets lost in translation (“Wait… was that ‘Thanks.’ passive-aggressive or just a regular ‘Thanks’?”).

What helps:

• Make open communication the norm. Create a culture where people feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas.
• Use the right tools. Leverage collaboration platforms like Slack, Asana, or Microsoft Teams to keep conversations streamlined.
• Train in DiSC Assessment & Emotional Intelligence (EQ). These tools help your team understand different communication styles, reducing friction.

3. Avoiding Tough Conversations

Let’s be real — no one loves difficult conversations. But avoiding them only makes things worse. Tension builds, resentment simmers, and before you know it, issues start leaking into passive-aggressive emails or missed deadlines.

What helps:

• Address issues early. Small conflicts are easier to fix than full-blown meltdowns.
• Use a solutions-first mindset. Instead of pointing fingers, focus on what needs to change moving forward.
• Model constructive feedback. Leaders set the tone — when you handle conflict well, your team follows suit.

4. A Weak Connection to Purpose

When team members don’t feel connected to the mission, motivation tanks. Purpose fuels performance. If people don’t see how their work matters, it’s hard to stay engaged — especially during tough seasons.

What helps:

• Revisit the “why” often. Start meetings by tying projects back to your agency’s mission.
• Celebrate mission-driven wins. Recognize contributions that directly impact the people or causes you serve.
• Give employees a voice. Involve them in conversations about big-picture goals so they feel like active participants, not just cogs in the machine.

5. Misaligned Leadership

If your leadership team isn’t on the same page, trust me — your employees can tell. Mixed messages and shifting priorities confuse and discourage staff.

What helps:

• Align leadership through quarterly retreats. Even a half-day strategy session can help refocus everyone.
• Communicate decisions consistently. If leaders give conflicting instructions, teams won’t know who to follow.
• Model transparency. When leadership teams collaborate openly and effectively, it sets the tone for the entire organization.

Building Team Cohesion Takes Intention (Not Perfection)

Let’s be clear — team cohesion doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional effort, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The more you invest in communication, connection, clarity, and purpose, the stronger your team becomes.

And remember — it all starts with you.

Carolyn Mozell is passionate about leadership and its transformative impact on individuals, teams, and organizations. As the Founder of Leaders Who Connect and Inspire LLC, she empowers nonprofit and government leaders to break down silos, unify teams, and achieve shared goals through impactful training programs and immersive retreats that enhance communication and emotional intelligence skills.

Carolyn has served in some of the highest levels of local government leadership across both the legislative and executive branches, as well as in roles as a nonprofit COO and entrepreneur, making her uniquely qualified to support leaders and teams at all levels, in navigating challenges with clarity, cohesion, and a strong sense of purpose.

Carolyn holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and is a certified DISC and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, being a wife and proud pet mom to her adopted cat, Eva.

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