Stage One: Forming
The first stage of team development is forming, which takes place in the initial weeks or months after a team is created. During this stage, team members are getting to know each other, establishing roles and responsibilities, and determining how they work together. It’s common for team members to have different opinions and ideas during this stage, as they try to establish their own identities within the team.
- Encourage open communication and feedback among team members
- Provide opportunities for team-building activities and social events
- Clarify roles and responsibilities and ensure that everyone understands their contribution to the team
Stage Two: Storming
The second stage of team development is storming, which typically occurs after a few months of forming. During this stage, team members may experience conflicts and disagreements as they struggle to reconcile their individual goals with those of the team. It’s common for team dynamics to be volatile during this stage, as team members try to establish their own dominance within the group.
- Encourage healthy conflict and facilitate constructive discussions among team members
- Provide training on effective communication and conflict resolution skills
- Establish clear guidelines for decision-making and problem-solving processes
Stage Three: Norming
The third stage of team development is norming, which occurs after the storming stage has passed. During this stage, teams start to work more effectively together, as they have established a set of norms and expectations for behavior within the group. Team members begin to feel more comfortable with each other, and there is often a greater sense of trust and cooperation among team members.
- Recognize and reward good teamwork and collaboration
- Provide opportunities for team members to share their feedback and ideas
- Continue to foster open communication and constructive feedback within the team
Stage Four: Performing
The final stage of team development is performing, which occurs after the norming stage has been achieved. During this stage, teams are at their most productive, as they have established a high level of trust and cooperation among team members. They are able to work together efficiently and effectively, achieving their goals with minimal supervision or intervention from management.
- Provide opportunities for team members to continue learning and developing new skills
- Recognize and reward outstanding performance within the team
- Continue to foster open communication and constructive feedback among team members
In conclusion, teams go through four stages of development: forming, storming, norming, and performing. By understanding these stages and providing support to teams during each stage, organizations can foster healthy and productive teams that contribute to the success of the organization as a whole.