Team Forming

Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning

Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing. – Warren Bennis, Ph.D. "On Becoming a Leader"

Glen B. Alleman Niwot, Colorado January 2004 glen.alleman@niwotridge.com

Introduction

A team has “A small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and a common approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.”

Forming – team members are introduced Storming – the team transitions from “as is” to “to be” Norming – the team reaches consensus on the “to be” process Performing – the team has settled its relationships and expectations Adjourning – the team shares the improved processes with others

Staged Development of Teams

The Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing stages are seemingly obvious but are in fact difficult.

Participants want to move to the Performing stage without passing through the first three stages. The Forming stage is relatively easy. The Storming stage is difficult and many times the cause of the team’s failure. Performing seems easy once the storming process is complete.

Staged Development of Teams

The “Real” problem is how to identify when a stage is complete:

The team members agree that the stage is complete? The team coach agrees the stage is complete? The team simply moves on to the next stage?

The definition of the “exit criteria” between stages needs to be worked out prior to the team’s reaching the end of the stage.

This again seems obvious but is also very difficult.

Forming

The “polite” stage in which the team starts to form. Everyone is trying to figure out what the team concept is. Initial “silent” leaders may take the rein. The team is usually positive – for the most part – for the initial meetings. No one has offended anyone at this point yet!

Forming

Forming includes feelings and behaviors of:

Excitement, anticipation, and optimism. Pride...