Team building is a process, not an event. Throwing axes together is fun but building an effective team takes time, effort and venturing into the unfun spaces together. Unfun is where the team is really built. Teams and individuals need leaders to guide them into this territory, support them as they navigate the challenges, and help them emerge stronger.
The Four Stages of Team Building
Bruce Tuckman first proposed the four stages of team building as follows:
Forming
Individuals come together to create relationships that enable them to meet a common purpose more effectively than if each were to attempt it alone. Initially, they tend to “be on best behaviour” and “get down to work.” To build a strong team, the leader needs to slow the team down, facilitate strategic conversations about objectives and expectations, and encourage people to let their guard down and deal with, rather than avoid, relationship challenges.
Storming
Conflicts arise as people become more comfortable displaying emotions and speaking their minds. So, the relationship can remain stuck or break down entirely if there is a mindset that conflict is bad, or individuals lack the knowledge and skills to navigate it effectively. This is that unfun space. The reward for getting through the Storming stage is a clear path toward a highly effective team.
Norming
Team members have learned the skills, are more motivated, and have a more positive mindset. Problems arise, which may require coaching and facilitation, but the team generally navigates challenges without the leader’s constant presence.
Performing
The team begins to act as one. Each individual understands and respects the others to such a high degree that they are able to anticipate each others’ needs and do not think twice about helping meet the common goal, even at the expense of individual projects.
Back Into the Unfun
When a significant change affects the team, the process may begin again. Each time the team building process becomes easier, as they understand what is required to move to the next stage. They rely less on the leader, and with their learned skills the team glides toward high performance even when facing great setbacks.
The best results arise when leaders commit to coach everyone at each stage of the team building process. Learn more about Coaching for Success here.