1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjourning
Why do we need to know this?
Well as a team leader, whether we are building a new team, taking over an existing team or adding new members into a team, it is important to know what stage they are at and what we need to do as a leader to help the team thrive and grow into high performance teams.
Lets look at the 5 stages in more detail:
Forming
Short-lived phase where the team gets acquainted and learns roles and responsibilities. Formalities are preserved and members can sometimes feel like strangers.
Storming
Can be a challenging period as the team can experience disagreements and power struggles. Conflict Management skills are often need as members often resist control by their leader and start to communicate their feelings and still see themselves as individuals.
Norming
The stage where members start to come to an agreement and people feel part of the team. They can work together successfully if they accept other’s point of view and everyone is contributing and working as a cohesive unit. This is when the leadership can foster collaboration.
Performing
The stage where a team works in an open and trusted atmosphere, a space where flexibility is key, confidence grows and when a group operates towards high performance. Both individually and team goals are achieved.
Adjourning
The completion of the role or project. Many teams will reach this stage when a project ends or a permanent team may be disbanded through organisational restructuring. Team members who like routine or have developed a close relationship with colleagues may find this stage difficult, particularly if their future now looks uncertain.
A team needs a leader who understand these levels and helps them perform well as quickly as possible. You need to change your approach at each stage and develop the team through to the performing stage and perhaps onto a new role if the team reaches the adjourning stage.
Check out our short video on Tuckman’s Theory here:
If you are interested in leadership and management training or conflict management training please contact Sales Training International on +44 (0) 1704 889325 or email info@salestrainingint.com for more information.
