Cohorts are a decision

Cohort seems to be one of those words that has crept into usage as a way of conveniently describing a group of people. It's not good use of a powerful word.

The dictionary definition of cohort is "a group of people with similar characteristics". Its origins lie in Latin : "a company of soldiers, band of warriors". It was the basic building block of Roman military organisation - a group of eight men, a "tent group", who lived, worked and fought together. completely interdependent. Everything above was built on it.

Our modern day usage is much looser. I think though that we have much to learn from the original version in terms of size and cohesion. In good times, we don't pay that much attention to shaping the groups we're part of - that's mostly taken care of by HR. When the going is easy, budgets are being met, and the economy in reasonable shape we cope fine. Maybe some complaining, blaming and politics and other challenges that come with comfortable day to day routine.

When times are t…