Building Blocks of Effective Teamwork

Building Blocks Purpose Explore the stages of group development Define the concept of team Identify elements of effective teamwork Book: Death by Meetings by Patrick Lencione

Tuckman’s Model of Group Development 5 Stages Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning Tuckman, B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63, 384-399.

Forming Stage Characterized by dependency on the group leader, lack of group identity, uncertainty about the group’s purpose, and lack of trust. Questioning Why are we here? What is our purpose? What are we supposed to do? How can we do this? Leader How can leader move group through this stage? Guidance Direction Orientation (mission, vision, values, goals) Team building Structure Member Testing to identify interpersonal and task behaviors/boundaries

Storming Stage Characterized by conflict and confrontation, resistance, testing, and role ambiguity. Leader What should leader do in this situation? Establish boundaries Support members who may feel isolated or frustrated Ensure fair treatment of members Renew commitment to the group’s objectives so members do not lose interest Members Jockeying for position (leaders within the group) Establish boundaries/work rules

Norming Stage Characterized by cohesiveness and group identity. Standards and attitudes that guide behavior are established. Members avoid conflict and seek harmony. Leader How can leader effectively navigate this stage? Encourage active participation Delegate Members Share ideas Establish relationships Temporarily abandon task in favor of interpersonal relationships Willingness to get more involved in group activities Committed to task at hand

Performing Stage Characterized by interdependence, cooperation, and open communication among group members. Group effectively balances work and relational matters (both task and people-oriented) and accomplishes goals of the group. Leader How can leader effectively lead through this stage? Allow the group independence to move forward with the task at hand Step back Assist with problem solving

Adjourning Stage Characterized by termination of the group. Leader What should leader’s role be in this stage? Understand reasons why acting out may occur Celebrate individual and group successes Allow members to grieve Members Celebrate successes Grieve loss of interpersonal relationships that were developed

Stages of Group Development forming performing storming Most models show this as linear, but not always as this diagram demonstrates. Some groups move swiftly through various stages. norming adjourning

Team “A small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.” John Katzenbach & Doug Smith, The Wisdom of Teams, 1993, Harvard Business School Press, p. 45. What is a team? What characteristics define a team? At which stage of group development does a group become or resemble a team? Performing

Characteristics of Teams Leadership Becomes a Shared Activity Collective Accountability Purpose/Mission/Goal Problem Solving Measure of Effectiveness

Building Blocks How did you accomplish your group’s goal? What was it like working in your group? What was it like from the perspective of a worker, supervisor, manager? What would have made your group more effective? What did you want from your leader? Group members? What roles did individuals in the group take on? How could teamwork have been enhanced? What can you take away from this activity?

Group Roles Relational Roles Task Roles Encourager Initiator Opinion giver Elaborator Recorder Relational Roles Encourager Harmonizer Compromiser Follower Pass out Team Facilitation handout

Teamwork How can leaders develop effective teams (progress from a group, committee, etc. to a team)? Within the various stages, there are different things leaders can do. See handout and notes. Utilize strengths of team members Encourage active participation Recognize individuals for the role they play within the group Leadership as relational

Essence of Teamwork Teamwork is essential. It allows you to blame someone else. ~Proverb