Team Dynamics
How Teams Form, Develop and Mature
The most common philosophy on team development is based around the key stages of forming, storming, norming and performing.
Each stage is expanded upon below:
Forming – the beginnings of a team. There will be much distrust and hesitation amongst team members as they look to the facilitator for direction. There will be much talking and not enough listening!
Storming – team members become more prominent within the group as the focus on the individual becomes more prominent.
Norming – group boundaries are developed and the teams productivity begins to improve. Involvement and listening improves and there is a concern for other team members.
Performing – the sign of a healthy and productive team. The team performs strongly as a unit, is highly productive and is focused on problem solving.
More recently, an additional team stage has been recognized. Teams are said to be mourning when there is significant change in the dynamics of the team.
Members become distrusting, reminisce about the past and return to the relative safety of the ‘norming’ stage.
The key role for a team manager is to understand at which stage their team is functioning in order to increase or decrease their level of leadership.
Strong functioning teams require less direction than those in the early stages. Additionally, this is not necessarily a linear process with teams moving back and forth between stages particularly when subjected to significant change.
It is, however, a useful framework for team leaders to identify their priorities in leading the team.
For further information go to Team Dynamics Training Courses
The most common philosophy on team development is based around the key stages of forming, storming, norming and performing.
Each stage is expanded upon below:
Forming – the beginnings of a team. There will be much distrust and hesitation amongst team members as they look to the facilitator for direction. There will be much talking and not enough listening!
Storming – team members become more prominent within the group as the focus on the individual becomes more prominent.
Norming – group boundaries are developed and the teams productivity begins to improve. Involvement and listening improves and there is a concern for other team members.
Performing – the sign of a healthy and productive team. The team performs strongly as a unit, is highly productive and is focused on problem solving.
More recently, an additional team stage has been recognized. Teams are said to be mourning when there is significant change in the dynamics of the team.
Members become distrusting, reminisce about the past and return to the relative safety of the ‘norming’ stage.
The key role for a team manager is to understand at which stage their team is functioning in order to increase or decrease their level of leadership.
Strong functioning teams require less direction than those in the early stages. Additionally, this is not necessarily a linear process with teams moving back and forth between stages particularly when subjected to significant change.
It is, however, a useful framework for team leaders to identify their priorities in leading the team.
For further information go to Team Dynamics Training Courses
Labels: Forming, Norming, Performing, Storming, Team dynamics, Team Formation
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