Stages of Team Growth
adapted from Joiner Associates, 1988
with additions from Bill Kentta

Knowing about the typical stages a team passes through (below) should relieve much of the fear team members have about the project's success.  Teams should not be discouraged if, after the first meeting or two, they are still "forming" and "storming."  This is to be expected.
 

Stage 1: Forming ("griping")

When a team is forming, members cautiously explore the boundaries of acceptable group behavior.  This is a stage of transition from individual to member status, and of testing the leader's guidance both formally and informally.
  • excitement, anticipation, optimism
  • pride in being chosen
  • tentative attachment to the team
  • suspicion, fear, and anxiety
  • attempt to define needed tasks and methods
  • attempt to determine acceptable group behavior
Stage 2: Storming ("groping")
Storming is probably the most difficult stage for the team.  It is as if team members jump in the water, and, thinking they are about to drown, start thrashing about.  They begin to realize the task is different and more difficult that they imagined.
  • resistance to the task and quality improvement approaches
  • sharp fluctuations in attitudes
  • argument among members
  • choosing sides
  • establishing unrealistic goals; concern about excessive work
Stage 3: Norming ("grasping")
During this stage, members reconcile competing loyalties and responsibilities.  They accept the team, team ground rules ("norms"), their roles in the team, and the individuality of fellow members.  Emotional conflict is reduced as previously competitive relationships become more cooperative.  In other words, as team members realize they are not going to down, they stop thrashing about and start helping each other stay afloat.
  • expressing criticism constructively
  • accept responsibility of membership in the team
  • believe that everything is going to work out
  • confide and share personal problems
  • buy-in to common goals
  • work more cooperatively with a sense of team cohesion
Stage 4: Performing ("grouping")
By this stage, the team has settled its relationships and expectations.  They can begin performing:  diagnosing and solving problems, and choosing and implementing changes.  At least team members have discovered and accepted each other's strengths and weaknesses, and learned what their roles are.  Now they can swim in concert!
  • members have insights into personal and group processes, and better understand each other's strengths and weaknesses
  • satisfaction at the team's progress
  • close attachment to the team

 
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