If you’ve ever been part of a team, you’ll likely have felt frustrated, unheard, drained, disengaged, and unmotivated. Probably, because great teams don’t just happen, they’re built. Imagine a team where trust is absolute, tough conversations lead to progress, and everyone is all-in on a shared goal. Sounds ideal, right? In 2015, I became a Wiley Everything DiSC Partner and Certified Trainer. I was also in the first cohort to complete The Five Behaviours of a Cohesive Team certification, equipping me with powerful, complementary tools to transform workplace dynamics. So, what are the Five Behaviors? In this blog, we’ll discuss the five key behaviors that turn a group of individuals into a high-performing team: trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results. Ready to level up your team dynamic? Let’s dive in! In this blog, we’ll break down the five key behaviours that turn a group of individuals into a powerhouse team: trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results. Ready to level up your team dynamic? Let’s dive in! The Five Behaviours® profile system is based on The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (book) by Patrick Lencioni. The five behaviours Lencioni identified will result – if each is maximised – in a team that operates as efficiently and effectively as possible. The five characteristics of a cohesive team are Trust, Conflict, Commitment, Accountability, and Results. Each behaviour in the model builds upon the previous and supports the others. The team profile and facilitated program let team members know how they and the team are doing, and how they can become more cohesive.

1. Trust is the foundation of a strong team. Without it, true cohesiveness is hard to achieve. Vulnerability-based trust – the ability to openly share weaknesses – is essential for building relationships that help teams navigate everyday challenges and unique obstacles.

2. Conflict is often seen as risky in teams, as it can lead to hard feelings. However, with trust, team members feel safe to be honest and courageous. Conflict becomes constructive when trust is present, ensuring all perspectives are heard and considered. Teams that avoid conflict may miss valuable feedback, leading to poor decisions.

3. Commitment. Gaining commitment from a team isn’t about achieving complete consensus. According to Lencioni, consensus often requires compromise, which may not lead to the best outcome. Genuine commitment comes from clarity of purpose. When faced with multiple ideas, a team built on trust and healthy conflict can confidently choose a direction. Even if an individual’s idea isn’t selected, every member understands the reasoning behind the decision and fully supports it within the team and when communicating externally.

4. Accountability is often the most challenging behaviour for a team to master, and many never reach the point where members consistently hold each other accountable. However, accountability becomes much easier when a team builds a strong foundation of trust, healthy conflict, commitment, and shared goals. Over time, it can evolve from a complex task into a natural part of the team’s culture.

5. Results. A team’s ultimate purpose is to achieve its objectives. When trust, healthy conflict, commitment, and accountability are in place, every member stays focused on the collective goal. The team’s success takes priority over individual agendas, creating a shared sense of purpose and fulfilment that contributes to the overall result.

Building a Cohesive Team: A Continuous Journey Teams rarely master the five behaviours of cohesion permanently. As members, leaders, and goals evolve, teams must revisit and rebuild trust, working through each behaviour again. While many know Lencioni’s model, The Five Behaviours assessments help teams apply it practically. A truly cohesive team achieves more and creates a more enjoyable and fulfilling work environment—making the effort well worth it. Build a Stronger, More Cohesive Team! The Five Behaviours® enables teams to discover how to build trust, embrace healthy conflict, gain commitment, ensure accountability, and drive results. If this sounds good to you, get in touch today!