Life cycle of a team

1. ‹#›
THE TOP 4 EXPECTATIONS OF A TEAM LEADER
LIFE CYCLE OF A TEAM

2. ‹#›
Main topics of
interest
Forming
Storming
Adjourning
1
2
5
Norming3
Performing4

3. ‹#›
Module
requirements
To understand the different stages of the life
cycle of a team and their effect on the team and
it’s leaders.
Each year, your team goes through a five stage process
before settling into its new identity. You need to be aware
of its stages to be a well informed Captain.
Review the following curriculum with a group or by
yourself and reflect on the different stages of the life
cycle of a team.
Purpose
Instructions

4. Forming:1
occurs as a team is assembled for the first time and is characterized
by independent behavior. Teammates don’t know each other well
enough to trust one another.

5. Storming:2
Team members begin to address differences, and different ideas and
opinions compete for popularity creating destruction if poorly
managed. Relationships are the key, and a team’s become stuck in
storming if teammates don’t develop relationships. CAPTAINS play a
huge role in getting a team out of this stage into norming!

6. Norming:3
Occurs as teams move towards developing relationships and stick to
guiding principles and norms while starting to trust. They realize the
important contributions each member makes. Leaders can take a step
back at this stage as individuals take greater responsibility.

7. Performing:4
Not all teams make it to this high performance phase where a long-
term perspective and accountability to team leadership is present.
Decisions are made as a group, and even team members who might
disagree go along for the good of the team.

8. Adjourning:5
Occurs as the team dis-assembles and assimilates back into society.
Teams constantly form new identities as members move in and out.
For example, a team only lasts for the length of a season…then
reassembles with different personnel the following year.