Page 154 - FLL Virtual Binder 2018

Forming
The group needs to get together to understand its direction, understand the rules for the team, and learn the other members’ behaviours.
The leader needs to help team members get to know each other, provide information regarding the project, and clarify the goals and priorities for the team’s work. The leader is cautioned against stifling the creativity or initiative of the team members. The leader needs to understand the interests, motivation, and talents of each team member.
Storming
As the group gets to work, the team members begin to ‘challenge’ each other’s behaviours and roles. There is more stress put on the team as they are now expected to perform. The social dynamics of the team are starting to form.
The leader needs to look for signs of conflict, both overt and passive, and encourage team members to challenge and question respectfully and constructively. It is essential for the team’s performance that the leader not gloss over this stage. He or she needs to ensure everyone’s concerns are heard and that stronger work relationships are formed. The leader who displays excellent people skills during this stage will have the team move through this stage relatively quickly because team members will feel heard individually but also realize that they need to be committed to team success.
Norming
This is when the team develops its personality. Team members have developed a way of dealing with each other and clarified the ‘rules’ of the team on how they behave, their roles and how they accomplish tasks. The social dynamics of the team are set.
The team leader needs to facilitate a team discussion on team norms and accountabilities. While the team may have established a set of rules or guiding principles in the forming stage, it is time to review them with full team input to ensure all team members are committed to them. The team leader needs to ensure the team develops habits that will lead to successful results.
Performing
Based on the rules that have been established in the norming stage, the team’s level of performance will be set. If the norm is positive, the team will be effective. If the norm is negative then the team will not be effective and will fail.
At this stage the team leader may slip more into the background providing a more supporting style of leadership rather than directing. Team members may become more involved in strategy and planning and establishing their stretch goals they can all commit to. It is essential that the leader keep the team on track, guard against complacency, and recognize achievements along the way.
At each stage in the development cycle, the team can fail. If the direction and rules are not established in forming, the team will not have a basis for direction or behaviour. If the storming results in bad feelings due to personal attacks, the team will not function. If the ‘challenges’ to the roles are not resolved, the team will not function. If the team has a poor norm, the team will not be effective.
Front Line Leadership Module: High Performing Teams
154