***I Wish You Would Just ... Build Our Team

Today’s work environment calls on individuals to work together in team settings more and more. It just makes sense. However, some individuals have a harder time than others adapting to a team environment. As managers, we need to build our teams and help them understand how to work together so together everyone accomplishes more!

Managers find it helpful to understand the Four Stages of Team Development. BW Tucker identified the Four Stages of Team Development. They are:
• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing

Forming: This is the stage when a group first comes together. Team members are typically filled with optimism and excitement because of the great possibilities that lie ahead. Conflict is seldom voiced because individuals don’t want to be seen as difficult. They are trying to determine “who fits where” as well as the strengths others bring.

If your team is in the forming stage, you will want to focus on:
1. Making sure everyone understands the reason why the team was formed - why it exists, what it is to do and how it will work together to achieve success.
2. Solicit strengths and weaknesses from team members so you can put people in positions where they can be successful.
3. Create an issue resolution system. Now is the time to decide how you are going to deal with issues before they arise.
4. Develop team roles and responsibilities. Make sure everyone understands his or her role on the team.

Storming: This is the stage where the newness and excitement has worn off and individuals start to understand the task may be more difficult than they envisioned. Storming teams may experience personality clashes, little issues getting blown out of proportion, dwindling communication, and individuals stop taking responsibility.
If your team is in the storming stage, you will want to focus on:
1. Reminding your team of its goal.
2. Reviewing your processes to ensure issues are business focused – not personal.
3. Using your issue resolution system.
4. Creating channels of communication. Most teams won’t move out of the storming stage without a focus on communication.

Norming: This is the stage where your team begins to recognize the merits of working together. They begin to develop a sense of security and are actually listening to one another. Differences are accepted and communication is open and honest.
If your team is in the norming stage, you will want to focus on:
1. Continuing to foster communication because it’s key and what everything else is built on.
2. Cheering progress. Don’t wait until the goal is achieved to cheer. Praise the progress.
3. Considering challenging your team to improve even further. Encourage them to take their efforts to another level.

Performing: This is the stage where the outcome is clear and achievable. There is a system with exchange of views and high degree of support of one another.
When your team reaches the performing level, you will want to focus on:
1. Celebrating successes.
2. Watching for regression.
3. Challenging yourself and your team members.