Cohesiveness

Motivating your Organization Through Relatedness

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Relatedness and SDT

Relatedness is 1 of the 3 universal needs according to Self Determination Theory (SDT).

Relatedness = the need to be connected to or interact with others

Interconnected Needs

The 3 needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) must work in conjunction with each other to foster individual growth and well-being.

Importance of Relatedness

People who are satisfied with their interpersonal connections to others are happier and healthier

Satisfaction of Relatedness

People strive to satisfy their need for relatedness in different ways. Interacting with many or just a few Interacting in-person or from a distance (internet,

etc.)

Opportunities to Interact

Therefore, it is important for self-determination that members are given the freedom to choose how to satisfy their need for relatedness.

Options for Interaction

Give choice of when and how to interact Provide a variety of opportunities for

interaction Large gatherings (whole org; paired with another

org) Smaller gatherings (committee activities; pledge

class) One-on-one interaction (mentors; big

brother/sister)

Why do students join your organization?

People often join organizations for the purpose of connecting with others through: Communicating about personally relevant topics Participating in shared activities Increased possibility of developing closer

friendships Feeling understood and appreciated Participating in enjoyable activities Feeling of belonging to avoid self-conscious

feelings

Communication and Feeling Understood

Participating in meaningful conversations and feeling understood and appreciated are important to daily feelings of relatedness.

How can your organization provide more opportunities for members to engage in discussions and meaningful conversations?

Which of the following ways that people need to connect does your organization already provide to members? Please check all that apply.

A) Opportunity for members to feel like they belong to avoid feeling self-conscious

B) Participating in enjoyable activities

C) Opportunity for Members to feel understood and appreciated

D) Developing close friendships

E) Participation in shared activities

F) Communicating about personally relevant topics

Now jot down some ways the organization could expand these

opportunities to provide members more options for satisfying their

need for relatedness.

Brainstorming Exercise

Communication and Feeling Understood

You can also add opportunities by: Providing members time to discuss current

events, issues on campus or in the organization Formal discussions that have guidelines and

follow specific agendas. Informal discussions that have few guidelines and

are more free-flowing.

Communication and Feeling Understood

You can also add opportunities by: Facilitating new discussion about topics of

common interest Select a topic and ask members to offer their

opinions and comment on others’ opinions in a respectful way.

Communication and Feeling Understood

You can also add opportunities by: Set rules that encourage respect for others’

opinions When can people talk? After they are called on or

whenever they want to add something? Is there a time limit per person? Emphasize appropriate language and tone when

speaking to others.

Participating in Activities

Shared activity, whether just for fun or other purposes, brings people together and makes them feel connected. You can: Schedule regular activities in a variety of settings Allow for social time before or after meetings Set up informal gatherings and stick with them

even if few people show up at first Put a new spin on mandatory events to make

them more interesting or to inspire teamwork.

Fringe Members

There are some members who are not as involved as others because of self-conscious reasons. Organizations can take steps to make these people feel connected.

Reaching out to Fringe Members

Opportunities for one-on-one or small group interaction (mentors, committees, panels, etc.)

Acknowledgement that not everyone seeks connection with others in the same way Avoid making all social activities mandatory

Developing an organizational culture where all members are accepted and welcomed to participate

Take a moment to brainstorm at least 2 specific goals to support the need for relatedness for members of your organization. Write them down if you have paper with you.

Goal-Setting Exercise

For each goal, think of the steps that need to be taken to implement this goal in your organization.

Who needs to be involved in the change?When should it be implemented?How are you going to make the change?

Think of possible setbacks that you might face when trying to reach this goals. (Budget?, Time?, Member Resistance?, Other obstacles?)

Obstacles to Goals

Think of some strategies you could use to overcome each of these setbacks or obstacles in order to reach your goals.

Make Change

Start right away! Bring these changes up in your next

meeting.

Thank you for your participation in this on-line training!

For more information on Self-Determination Theory, please access an additional training module at the I/O Club website or more research on this theory at the official SDT website.

If you have any questions about this study, please contact Samantha Curry at curry515@missouristate.edu.

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