Cohesion in competitive teams does not mean eliminating competition, but rather managing the tension between personal and collective goals.
SANTO DOMINGO– The success of an organization depends on collaboration among its members. In sectors where competition is intense, such as el inmobiliario, banking, or technology, team leaders face a constant dilemma: each member seeks to achieve their individual goals.
The question here is how to avoid mistrust and maintain the spirit of collective triumph, amidst the pressure.
Open and transparent communication
In its Collaborative Skills program, thePontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) states that clear communication and shared accountability are vital for cohesion.
In competitive companies, this means:
Ensuring safe spaces where progress and obstacles can be discussed without fear of judgment, reducing rumors and internal tensions.
Cross-recognition
Dominican coach José Bretón, creator of the Team Coaching, maintains that “effective teams make successful companies.”
Their methodology seeks to align communication styles and cultivate the team's own life, even in high-pressure contexts.
Publicly recognizing the achievements of colleagues prevents individual success from being perceived as a threat and strengthens collective identity.
Shared goals
The National Competitiveness Council of the Dominican Republic, in its National Competitiveness Strategy, reminds us that productivity and equity require collective objectives.
In companies, this translates to:
Set customer satisfaction or brand reputation goals, in addition to sales quotas.
Thus, each agent understands that their performance impacts the credibility of the entire organization.
Team building: an international tool
The International University of Valencia –VIU –, a 100% online Spanish institution, highlights that the dynamics:
Team building strengthens interpersonal relationships and promotes a collaborative environment, which directly impacts performance.
For its part, the talent management platform Factorial insists that these practices are key to:
Optimize team management and development, especially in markets where competition is fierce.
Diversity and conflict resolution
The PUCMM also underscores the importance of celebrating individual differences and fostering creativity.
In competitive teams, well-managed diversity becomes a strategic advantage, provided there are clear conflict resolution mechanisms in place.
In summary, cohesion in competitive teams does not mean eliminating competition, but rather managing the tension between personal and collective goals, so that the success of the organization is the sum of individual objectives.
Strategies such as open communication, cross-recognition, shared goals, and team building enable teams to work collaboratively, even under pressure. As José Bretón summarizes:
“What a team achieves through cohesion cannot be learned in any business school.”.
