Get The Team Performing Quickly

There are a number of preliminary stages before a team can start preliminary stages before a team can start performing properly. The stages can be summarized as forming, storming norming and performing. These stages sometimes happen naturally, but it is far better to manage them from the outset.

   Forming Stage. Team members identify each other by name, role and history. In order to get this stage successfully completed as quickly to introduce themselves and share this information.

    Storming Stage. The stage where, confident they are meant to be here, people start to “jockey for position” –to establish their credibility in the team. Some will try to push themselves forward because they want power or influence; others will deliberately keep a low profile because they are shy, diffident, or lacking in confidence. You need to set up activities that allow people to find their level to comfort – for example any of the teambuilding exercises you can find on websites such as www.businessballs.com

   Norming Stage. This is when you start to establish the rules of behaviour between team members, and their relationship with you and people outside. The Norming phase can take quite a long time if left to happen naturally because the rules will be established by a combination of “trial and error” and “custom and practice”. Take control by holding a team meeting to set up some formal ground rules.

   Performing stage. The team finally start working effectively towards its goals. For example, a soccer team is performing when it is playing well – tackling, keeping possession, winning ground, supporting each other – even before it start scoring goals.

Don’t let your team go through the first three stages without intervention; make them happen quickly and successfully.

Reference: Team Management Secrets by Rus Slater