Team building is a science with five main stages of team formation and development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
The “forming” stage occurs when the team first meets. During this stage, team members introduce themselves, share information about their backgrounds, and begin to form impressions of each other. They also learn about the project they will be working on and discuss its objectives and goals. The team leader needs to provide clear direction and involve all members in determining team roles and responsibilities.
The second stage is “storming,” during which disagreements and conflicts arise as the team learns to work together. The team leader plays a crucial role in guiding the team through this stage, helping members to listen to each other, respect differences, and learn how to work together effectively. In the “norming” stage, the team begins to work more effectively as a unit, focusing on developing processes and procedures for working together. They value each other’s opinions and differences, working collaboratively toward a common goal.
The “performing” stage is when teams function at a high level, working together to reach their goal. Not all teams reach this stage of development.
The last stage, “adjourning,” occurs when team members complete their project and reach its end.
