The Marine Corps defines cohesion as;

•An intense bonding, strengthened over time, resulting in absolute trust. Characterized by subordination of self and an intuitive understanding of the importance of teamwork, resulting in increased effectiveness.

•Cohesion is achieved by reinforcing our core values to the point that our Corps values become dominant over self-interest.

Cohesion is just a word. What does it look like in action? Look no further than Medal of Honor recipient, Navy Seal, Mike Monsoor. In case you missed it, here is a bit more.

PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals. During Mike Monsoor’s funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two’s, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike’s coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin. The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero.

Is it possible to have such commitment and cohesion if you are not in the Navy Seals? I say you can come close. Nothing replicates combat but you can come close. It requires a strong organizational culture and commitment to values. Of course the next question is how do you get such culture and commitment. Leadership, your leadership. In other words, it requires you to lead.