There has been increasing interest in exploring the potential benefits of shared relational goals for enhancing individual and collective functioning within military contexts. According to researchers, when soldiers set and work towards common objectives together, they are able to achieve greater cohesion and performance outcomes compared to those who do not share these goals. This finding is based on empirical evidence from studies conducted in various settings, including sports teams, business organizations, and social movements. In light of this evidence, it is reasonable to hypothesize that shared relational goals could also have similar effects within military units.
Further research is needed to examine whether and how this phenomenon manifests itself in such contexts. The present study sought to investigate the role of shared relational goals in promoting both individual and collective functioning among soldiers. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that when soldiers are encouraged to share their relational goals and pursue them as a team, they experience improved psychological wellbeing, job satisfaction, and task performance. To test this hypothesis, participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups - either a control group or an experimental group where they were provided with a training program focused on setting and achieving shared relational goals, or a third group where they received no intervention. At baseline, pre-training, and post-training assessments, participants completed measures of psychological wellbeing (e.g., depression, anxiety), job satisfaction, and task performance (e.g., accuracy and efficiency). Results showed that soldiers in the intervention groups reported significantly higher levels of psychological wellbeing and job satisfaction than those in the control condition, while there was no significant difference in task performance between groups. These findings suggest that shared relational goals can be used as a tool for enhancing both individual and collective functioning in military contexts. Implications for theory and practice are discussed below.
Can shared relational goals improve both individual and collective functioning in military contexts?
In recent years, research has shown that shared relational goals can be an effective tool for improving both individual and collective functioning in military contexts. By establishing common objectives among team members, leaders can create a sense of unity and purpose that motivates individuals to work together towards achieving those goals. This helps to foster cooperation, collaboration, and communication within teams, leading to improved performance and morale.