Task Cohesion vs. Social Cohesion
Sport psychology separates task cohesion (commitment to the shared goal) from social cohesion (personal liking among teammates). Research on elite crews consistently finds task cohesion predicts race performance; social cohesion predicts retention and enjoyment. Invest in both, measure separately.
Three Frameworks That Work
- Shared mental models — agreed race plan, agreed calls, agreed response to adversity
- Role clarity — every seat knows what success looks like for their position
- Constructive conflict norms — hard feedback in scheduled windows, never mid-piece