subject: How Leaders Impact Each Stage Of Team Development [print this page] If you own a company or have a position that requires you to manage employees, you have undoubtedly pondered the ways in which a group of employees can be developed into a cohesive and productive team.
The dynamics of team building have been formally studied since the 1960s when Bruce Tuckman began researching the stages of development every team goes through along the way to effectively working together and producing high-quality results. Lets take a closer look at each stage of team development and how you, as a manager, must lead if you expect to achieve success.
Stage 1:
Known as the forming stage, this stage of team development begins when the members of a team first meet. They share information about their backgrounds and interests and form their first impressions of each other. They learn about the project and begin to think about what their role may be to accomplish the projects objectives.
The leaders role in the first stage of team development: During this initial stage you need to establish yourself as the team leader and clearly communicate the goals of the project. Enable all employees to have input on their roles and responsibilities, and work closely with them to determine the easiest and most effective ways to work together.
Stage 2:
This is the storming stage of team development where team members compete for status and acceptance of their differing opinions regarding what needs to be done and how it should be done, which inevitably causes conflict.
The leaders role in the second stage of team development: During this stage your guidance is critical in showing how the team can solve problems together, function both independently and as a cohesive group, and how their actions affect team unity. Some team members will require coaching to be more assertive or better listeners at this stage. You should start transitioning some decision-making to the team to promote independence while also being closely involved to quickly resolve disputes.
Stage 3:
Known as the norming stage of team development, the team begins to work more effectively together and is no longer focused on individual goals. Employees respect each others opinions and see that their differences actually benefit the team and its goals. They are able to begin to resolve conflicts on their own as they build trust, actively engage others for their opinions, work towards a common goal, and start to see significant progress in achieving that goal.
The leaders role in the third stage of team development: During this stage you are less involved in problem-solving and decision-making as the team has better self-direction and can resolve conflicts on its own, but you are still available to ensure all team members are working collaboratively.
Stage 4:
In this performing stage of team development, the team is performing at a high level and members know each other well and rely on one another. The team is very motivated to achieve the projects objectives, and is able to quickly and effectively make decisions and solve problems.
The leaders role in the fourth stage of team development: You continue to monitor the progress of the team during this stage, celebrate milestones to promote camaraderie, and serve as the gateway when decisions need to be made between the team and higher levels of the organization.
Stage 5:
This is known as the adjourning stage of team development where the project is coming to an end, team members reflect on the project from both an individual and team perspective, and begin to focus on their next roles and responsibilities.
The leaders role in the fifth stage of team development: During this stage you celebrate the success of the project or, if it was unsuccessful, evaluate the challenges and discuss lessons learned for future projects.
Every team will ultimately follow these stages of team development and, as team leader, it is your job to successfully guide each employee and the team as a whole to work together to achieve the common goal. Learn more about each stage of team development and get coaching to become a better leader by visiting www.ThinkBlueThinking.com or calling 619.550.8052.
