People and Organization

 

Team Development

 

A team is group of individuals who work together toward a common goal. Each member of a team is valuable to the common goal in their own way, using a unique set of skills to fulfill a team role. And yet, everyone on the team shares the same orientation and attitude. Though this may sound easy on paper, balancing individual and common goals within a team is quite difficult, especially during periods of stress, failure, or discord.

                                                       

     Source: (Rencaigroup, 2019)

Stages in Team Development                                                  

The Five stages of team development were developed by psychologist Bruce Tuckman in 1965. These five stages advance as a team works together, but especially when a team brings awareness to their dynamic.                                           

Source: (Shutterstock, 2024) 

Tuckman’s Five Stages of Team Development are as follows:

1.Forming

In the "forming" phase of team growth, members familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of their assignment. Topics for discussion during the formation stage often include the authority designation, basic ground rules, team member duties, and the project goal. When a team is first developing, it is essentially in its honeymoon period; production is poor, but there isn't much conflict because everyone is still getting to know one another.

 

2.Storming

Every happy period ends eventually, of course. The project may provide both interpersonal and technological hurdles once the real work begins. Tension within a team can be brought on by individual work habits, poor communication, or leadership decisions. In response, annoyance, frustration, and worry are prevalent. Storming is the name given to this phase of team growth.

 

3.Norming

The phase of team development known as norming is like the quiet before the storm. Members of the team settle into a routine as a unified taskforce throughout this phase of team development. Each member's skills are verified and put to use in order to complete the required duties. At this point, disagreements may still occur, but they no longer turn into dysfunction. The group is capable of managing disagreement and completing the project effectively.

 

4.Performing

Certain teams attain a certain level of maturity where they excel in both individual and group tasks. Each member's skills are fully utilized, monitoring is practically never required, and there is a great sense of mutual trust among the members. We refer to this phase of team growth as performing.

 

5.Adjourning

Adjourning is the fifth stage of group growth. The process of adjourning differs greatly among teams. While some teams adjourn in silence, others do so in celebration or with regret. Every team should be sincerely commended for their coordinated efforts, regardless of the project's duration or level of accomplishment. Leaders have a great chance to celebrate the project's completion, foster enduring relationships, and consider the team's progress during the adjourning phase.

How to Help Your Team Progress Through the Stages of Group Development?

1.      To help your team progress through the stages of group development, consider the following steps: Create a Positive Environment: Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for team building, and foster a supportive and inclusive atmosphere to help the team move through the forming stage.

2.   Manage Conflicts: Conflicts are a natural part of the storming stage. Help team members resolve conflicts by mediating disagreements and facilitating open discussions.

3.    Clarify Roles and Responsibilities: Ensure each team member understands their role and how their work contributes to the team’s success. This will help the team move through the norming stage.

4.   Encourage Collaboration: Encourage team members to collaborate and share their skills and expertise to enhance the team’s performance and reach its goals.

5.  Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate the team’s accomplishments and progress, recognizing the efforts of individual team members and promoting a positive team culture.

6.   Plan for Adjourning: Prepare for the end of the team’s life cycle by discussing the team’s future and preserving positive relationships among team members 

  Source: (Images, 2024)

Impediments and Challenges to Teamwork

Essentially, the process of implementing teams involves organizational development transformation.

As a result, teams are vulnerable to every obstacle that may arise throughout an organizational transition process. In example, when workers are forced to collaborate with coworkers they are unfamiliar with, opposition from the workforce may arise.

It is possible that the team does not have a common understanding of its objectives, hence, as was previously mentioned, setting clear goals is crucial. The trade-offs in terms of time, as team decision-making may need time away from tasks. "Groupthink" issues, pressure to fit in, and the possibility of more disagreement over decisions could all be present. Teams are unlikely to build and realize a shared vision in an efficient manner without proper training and preparation. In addition, there are issues brought on by poor communication, interpersonal disputes, and an excessive focus on reciprocity.

 Another issue is when teams aren't given enough trust to make important decisions, which keeps them from realizing their full potential and that of the organization they work for. Getting consent before acting on ideas decreases ownership and timeliness.

Members of the team might think that management is just talking about the fundamentals of teamwork, which would almost surely lower employee morale. When decision-making inside teams is not trusted, teams wind up consuming more time than the system they are meant to replace.

Conclusion                    

An organization requires careful consideration of a wide range of issues and significant organizational change. The team members, as well as the full organization .

Social relationships, work procedures, methodologies, organizational structure, managers, and supervisors are all impacted. The extent and breadth of the modifications suggest that developing and implementing a team is a drawn-out process with numerous difficulties. But there are a ton of advantages, and the teams putting this into practice have no intention of going back to their old setups. Effective teambuilding offers firms numerous advantages, even in spite of its hurdles.

References

Images, G., 2024. 2024. [Online]
Available at: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/happy-colleagues-doing-team-building-activity-royalty-free-image/1413791618?adppopup=true
[Accessed 10 04 2024].

Rencaigroup, 2019. Rencaigruop.com. [Online]
Available at: https://rencaigroup.com/people-management-and-development-in-2020/
[Accessed 10 04 2024].

Shutterstock, 2024. Shutterstock.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/five-stages-team-development
[Accessed 10 04 2024].