Ryhmähenki

Ryhmähenki is a Finnish term describing the shared spirit, morale, and sense of belonging that characterizes a group such as a team, class, workplace, or community. It encompasses the group's collective motivation to work toward common goals and its readiness to support one another.

Key elements include mutual trust, open and respectful communication, psychological safety for speaking up, shared norms and values, and a sense of identity within the group. Ryhmähenki develops through inclusive leadership, transparent decision making, opportunities for participation, recognition of contributions, and shared rituals or activities that reinforce cohesion.

Ryhmähenki can boost performance, well-being, and resilience, by reducing conflict and increasing cooperation. It is also linked to lower turnover and higher engagement in organizational settings. However, when excessively strong or coercive, it can contribute to groupthink, conformity pressure, or exclusion of outsiders.

Contexts and measurement: The concept is used in Finnish organizational psychology and education to describe how groups function. It overlaps with ideas such as team climate, psychological safety, and social capital. Assessments may include surveys of perceived belonging, support, communication quality, and alignment of goals, as well as qualitative observations of interactions.

Related terms include yhteishenki, which is often used synonymously on a broader cultural level. Ryhmähenki is culturally valued in Finnish work and community life as a driver of cooperative action and shared responsibility.