In June 2018, twelve boys and their soccer coach got stuck in the Tham Luang cave in Thailand after heavy rains flooded the cave system. They went on an excursion after soccer practice as a fun team-building activity. But once they were inside the caves, heavy rains began unexpectedly, flooding the cave’s entrance and pathways. They were trapped inside, 2.5 miles away from the entrance.

It was extremely difficult to reach them and required synchronizing diverse teams from around the world. Experts from different countries, like Thai Navy SEALs, British cave divers, and specialists from Australia and the US, joined forces.

• Experienced cave divers from the U.K. located them.

• Another cave diver and doctor from Australia sedated them to prevent panic during the extraction.

• Engineers from multiple countries (and especially the Thai engineers and military personnel) pumped out millions of gallons of water while others set up a system of guide ropes and oxygen tanks along the rescue team’s route.

After a three-day intense operation, they were all successfully rescued. This event showed how diverse groups could come together, align their efforts, and achieve an extraordinary goal.

Synchronization allows any complex operation to run smoothly, just like in the Thai cave rescue case. It shows that we can achieve the impossible when we move in harmony.

We have different tools to boost synchronization among people. What if we used one that is easily accessible and cost-effective, like music, to help people get in sync and achieve extraordinary feats?

Beat by beat

One way to get people in sync is to align their bodies through movement. Could this boost group performance?

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University in Israel wanted to understand if getting in sync physically (heartbeats and movements) can make groups work better together.

They gathered 141 people and divided them into groups of 3 (47 groups in total). Every group had to match their drumming to either a steady beat (predictable) or a beat that was all over the place (unpredictable). While drumming, participants were strapped on heart rate monitors to track their beats, and the drumming sessions were recorded.

For each group of three participants, it went like this:

1. Chill time: Participants started with some group relaxation to get a baseline for their heart rate.

2. Drum time (sync): They hit the drums, trying to sync up with the beat.

3. More chill time: Another relaxation period followed to see how things settled.

4. Drum time (unsync): They drummed to an unpredictable or constantly changing beat.

5. Free jam: Finally, they had a wild, free-for-all drumming session.

What did they find?

First, the groups’ heart rates synchronized during the drumming, regardless of whether the beat was steady or chaotic. However, groups felt more connected and cohesive during the synchronized drumming phase than the unsynchronized drumming phase.

Second, the groups that had a stronger heart rate synchrony and felt more connected (sync phase) performed better during the free jam phase. They were 15.4% more coordinated with their hits and in sync with the rhythm.

In other words, synching physically brings better emotional and performance results. Think of more effective teamwork in any setting.

Sync up for success

When you feel in sync with others, you’re more likely to trust them, work well with them, and perform better as a team.

Grooving together doesn’t just align people’s bodies. It aligns with their purposes. Think of it like this: when everyone is rowing in the same direction, you feel like you’re flying. It’s a tactical advantage.

So when you embark on a mission with others, you could try doing activities that will get you in the same headspace through movement.

• You can kick off meetings with a quick sync-up activity like group stretches or a clapping game.

• Or instead of a sitting meeting, take it for a walk. Walking together can help synchronize your steps and thoughts.

• A simple coordinated breathing exercise can help align everyone’s mental and physical states.

These activities will boost the unity and laser-focus your group’s efforts. They will sync everyone’s rhythm to march toward success like a finely tuned machine with a harmonious human touch.

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