Assignment 18

1. Explain the four stages of team development and the key interpersonal behaviors exhibited by team members at each stage.
a. Forming – Is the sense of members coming together. Managers help them get acquainted with one another and they become a cohesive unit. In this stage is it most likely that members will feel a little self-conscious, dependence and superficiality. This is the stages that the management prepares to bring the team together
b. Norming – is the sense of getting acquainted with one another, the sense of the team atmosphere. It is the developing of the structure to get the work done. This is where roles/responsibilities are determined, participation and empowerment are discussed, interdependent support and feedback systems are set up, and the decision making process is formed. This is also where cooperation, conformity to standards, expectations, and interpersonal attractions are formed. The “groupthink” needs to be avoided in this process. Groupthink is when members feel invulnerable, and discredit discomforting information. In order to prevent groupthink teams must have open discussion and enrol the help of outside experts.
c. Storming - This is the next stage where employees can express differences. This is where they are feeling more comfortable with one another, and where they are experiencing exploring different roles. Here conflict and counter-dependence may occur. The success of the team depends on how well they overcome the problems that may occur. Competition, coalitions, disagreements with leaders, and challenges to one’s point of views may occur. Maintaining flexibility within the team and focusing on common objectives, common vision and encouraging must happen.
d. Performing – this is the final stage in the 4 stages of team development. After working through all of the difficulties teams members in this stage begin to become more effective and efficient. Here creating a performance that is above ordinary and average. Trusting relationships, mutual commitments, support, trial and error learning, and capitalizing on core competencies occur at this stage. High mutual trust, unconditional commitment to learn, and experiencing high levels of performance are high priority in this stage.