Page 1 of 1 MGT3102 Leadership

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Team Development

Forming Forming is the first phase. I call that the “touchy feely” phase. It is at this point where members new to each other are scoping each other out. The questions most often asked in the minds of members of, for example, a school project are “Who do I have on my team?” “Is there anyone really smart that will be of great value to getting a good grade?” “Is there someone who is going to drag the team down or ride on the good work of others?” This stage of uncertainty is also the time when the purpose of the team is discussed and what needs to get done. Storming Storming is the second phase. Many people can identify with this phase as is it often the most noticeable to the casual observer of behavior. This phase is characterized by conflict; conflict that sometimes can prevent the team from moving forward and being successful unless the team is aware of how natural it is to go through this phase and how to successfully manage through it. It is during this stage that roles are fought for, leaders emerge, and the direction of the team becomes more clear. Norming Norming is the next phase. I often refer to this phase as the cheerleading or the “rah rah” phase. This stage is characterized with a great sense of unity and cohesiveness. Members at this stage rarely conflict and enjoy the sense of camaraderie and group membership. So far, we have yet to operate as a fully functioning, high-performing team. At forming we do not know enough to be fully functioning. At storming we do not have everyone on board rowing in the same direction. At norming we can be so blinded by our cohesiveness that something we did not think of can come up and sink the boat. However, well-led teams eventually get to the performing phase. Performing It is at this point that the primary focus of all members is on achieving the goals of the team. It is at this stage that differences of opinion are well used to solve problems effectively. Since many teams in organizations today are developed for achieving a task within a specific time frame, our model can have one last phase; adjournment. Adjourning This, of course, is the final step in member closure and moving on to other work.