All teams go through predictable and unavoidable stages of development. These stages are backed up by research into teams across all industry groups. What are these stages? What can you as a team leader do to make an easier transition into each stage? This session considers some practical advice for accelerate the team’s development and maturity.

1. Dr Tim Baker
tim@winnersatwork.com.au
www.winnersatwork.com.au
The Four Stages of
Team Development

2. Unit 1—Characteristics of
High Performing Teams
Unit 2—The Four Stages of
Team Development
Unit 3—Tools for Leading
Teams
Unit 4—The Roles People Play
in Teams
Unit 5—Managing Team
Conflict and Negotiations
Unit 6—Developing Team
Culture

3. Sense of Purpose
Effective Working Procedures
Open
Communication
Shared
Leadership
Trust and
Mutual
Respect
Continuous
Learning
Building on
Differences
Flexibility
and
Adaptability
(Thiel, 2009)

4. What are the four
stages of team
development?
What should a
team leader do at
each stage?
What are the
characteristics of
each stage?

5. High Performance Team
A small number of people with complimentary skills who are committed to a common
purpose, performance goals, and a common approach for which they hold themselves
accountable.

6. The team acts as
individuals & there
is a lack of clarity
about the team’s
purpose & individual roles
Conflict arises as
people begin to
establish their
place in the team
There is a level of consensus
& agreement within the team.
There is a clarity about
individual roles.
The team has a clear strategy &
shared vision. It can operate
autonomously & resolve issues
positively.

7. Each stage of the Tuckman model has a
set of behaviours the team exhibits &
leadership actions that will help move
the team to the next level.

9. Forming – Raising
Awareness
• Leader’s role: High-task, low-
relationship to compensate for
low follower readiness.
• Leadership skills & techniques:
value clarification; visioning;
goal-setting; clarifying individual
& team roles

10. Storming – Conflict
• Leader’s role: Maintaining
adequate production while
building group cohesion
requires high-task & high-
relationship.
• Leadership skills & techniques:
active listening; assertiveness;
conflict management; flexibility
& creativity.

11. Norming – Cooperation
• Leader’s role: Low-task, high-
relationship to promote
participation & involvement,
providing more opportunities
for group member’s to take
responsibility.
• Leadership skills & techniques:
playfulness & humour;
networking; promote
involvement; communication &
feedback on performance.

12. Performing
– Recognition
• Leader’s role: Low-task, low-
relationship with more
delegation.
• Leadership skills & techniques:
problem-solving; planning;
mentoring; coaching;
recognising.

15. Your homework
Adjust your leadership style to
accommodate the stage you are in in team
development.

16. Unit 1—Characteristics of
High Performing Teams
Unit 2—The Four Stages of
Team Development
Unit 3—Tools for Leading
Teams
Unit 4—The Roles People Play
in Teams
Unit 5—Managing Team
Conflict and Negotiations
Unit 6—Developing Team
Culture