Team Building Model

Team Development Stages towards High Performance

The Strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.     -Phil Jackson

What exactly is a Team?

A Team comprises a group of people linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks. The individuals comprising a team ideally should have common goals, common objectives, and motives. Teams cannot be formed if people are not compatible with each other.

“A group does not necessarily constitute a team”.

Understanding Teamwork & Team Building

Teamwork

“The process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to realize a goal.”

Teamwork is the result of people effectively working together. It is vital for team members to understand the importance of good communication skills, mutual respect, good Leadership, and excellent decision-making skills to achieve team goals. Harmonization and collaboration of ideas and people who work towards a common objective are called teamwork. It also helps keeping aside their personal conflicts.

Team Building

“Capability to recognize and motivate individuals to form a team that stays together, performs together, and accomplishes together.”

Team building is the way to enhance team determination amongst team members for improved relationships, productivity and openly discuss project concerns. Team building deals with two main facets- recruiting people from the same or different teams and engaging them in activities that can boost their career/skills and at the same time resolve conflicts to achieve outcome.

Virtual team building activities can be planned for remote teams.

Traits of High Performing Teams

A group of goal-focused individuals with specialized expertise and complementary skills who collaborate, innovate, and produce consistently superior results. “High performing teams Understand and respect each other’s views and differences, appreciate that we all view the world through a different lens and therefore give and receive messages differently and Listen with the intent to utterly understand the other person rather than to confirm their current view or wait for the opportunity to speak.

Team Development Stages- By Bruce Tuckman

Forming

This stage is the base of Team Development. This stage plays a vital role in deciding the future success of the team It is where team members first meet. Here, it is typical for teammates to feel excited, anxious, and curious about what lies ahead, and they look to leaders for information. Thus, it is important for Team leaders to facilitate the introductions and highlight each person’s skills and background. familiarized them with their team goals and provide them project details and the opportunity to organize their responsibilities.

Storming
At this stage, team members will experience obstacles because they have begun working, they openly share ideas and use this as an opportunity to stand out and be accepted by their peers. frequent complaints, frustrations, or bottlenecks are common signs at this stage. Team leaders help teams in this stage by having a plan in place to manage competition, disagreements / conflicts among team members as they are inescapable, establishing a mutual understanding between the team members and communicate the concerns with the higher-ups to ensure projects stay track.

Norming

By this stage, teams have figured out how to work together. There is no more internal competition, and responsibilities and goals are clear. Each person works more efficiently because they have developed a mutual understanding , they are aware of each other strengths and they probably know when to extend their helping hand. he or she has learned how to share their ideas and listen to feedback while working toward a common goal. Team leaders help teams in this stage by monitoring their progress and  providing them with adequate guidance.

Performing

At this stage there is a high level of cohesion and trust between team members. Teams are functioning at peak efficiency with less oversight from team leaders. Issues still come up, but at this point, teams have strategies for resolving problems without compromising timelines and progress.

Team leaders at this stage make things easier for team by facilitating them with the required resources for the job and keep appreciating to motivate them. It is an ideal state for any manager to witness their team’s growth and ask reflective questions.

Adjourning

At this last stage Teams complete their project and debrief on what went well and what could be improved for future projects. This stage is all about celebrating the victory achieved together and revisiting the loopholes to avoid whenever the team takes up another task. Afterwards, team members move on to new projects. Team leaders at this stage should honor team efforts with meaningful rewards and recognition to fuel their zeal to contribute more. Also, peers can recognize and appreciate each other for their efforts.

Leadership Style at each stage of team development