Team Development
Form
→Storm
→Norm
→Perform
In This Article
Introduction
Effective collaboration and teamwork are essential for organizational success. Teams that work well together outperform individuals and dysfunctional teams. Understanding team dynamics helps leaders build and nurture high-performing teams.
Tuckman's Stages of Team Development
| Stage | Characteristics | Leader's Role |
|---|---|---|
| Forming | Polite, guarded, testing boundaries | Direct, provide structure |
| Storming | Conflict, power struggles, frustration | Coach, address conflict |
| Norming | Cooperation, establishing rules, cohesion | Facilitate, encourage |
| Performing | High productivity, autonomy, flexibility | Delegate, support |
| Adjourning | Task completion, disbanding | Celebrate, transition |
Key Insight: Storming is necessary—conflict helps establish norms. Teams that skip storming often return to it later. The goal is to move through it constructively.
Belbin Team Roles
Meredith Belbin identified nine team roles that successful teams need:
Action-Oriented Roles
- Shaper: Challenges, drives, thrives on pressure
- Implementer: Turns ideas into practical action
- Completer Finisher: Ensures thorough completion
People-Oriented Roles
- Coordinator: Clarifies goals, promotes decision-making
- Team Worker: Supports, builds relationships
- Resource Investigator: Explores opportunities, develops contacts
Thought-Oriented Roles
- Plant: Creative, generates ideas
- Monitor Evaluator: Analyzes, makes judgments
- Specialist: Provides specialized knowledge
Characteristics of High-Performing Teams
- Clear purpose: Shared understanding of goals
- Psychological safety: Safe to take risks, admit mistakes
- Trust: Members rely on each other
- Open communication: Information flows freely
- Constructive conflict: Healthy debate of ideas
- Accountability: Members hold each other accountable
- Results focus: Collective commitment to outcomes
- Complementary skills: Diverse capabilities
Google's Project Aristotle Findings
Google's research found psychological safety was the #1 factor in team effectiveness—more important than individual talent.
Common Teamwork Challenges
- Social loafing: Individuals contribute less in groups
- Groupthink: Pressure for conformity suppresses dissent
- Free riding: Some members don't pull their weight
- Conflict avoidance: Artificial harmony
- Lack of commitment: No buy-in to decisions
- Silos: Poor cross-functional collaboration
Solutions
- Individual accountability within team context
- Encourage diverse viewpoints and devil's advocacy
- Clear roles and expectations
- Regular feedback and retrospectives
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Tuckman's stages: Forming → Storming → Norming → Performing
- Storming is necessary—don't avoid healthy conflict
- Balance roles: Need action, people, and thought-oriented members
- Psychological safety is the foundation of high performance
- Watch for groupthink and social loafing
- Trust and accountability go together
- Leader's role changes with team stage