Written by: Dimitris Papadimitriou
Original LinkedIn Post

Understanding the Five Stages of Team Development: A Guide for First-Time Managers

As a first-time manager, it's important to understand the stages of your team's development. Knowing the phases your team will go through as it grows and evolves can help you better manage your team and guide them to success.

The theory of team development was first proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965. According to Tuckman, teams go through four distinct stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing. Following further research, a fifth stage was introduced called Adjourning or Mourning.

We frequently refer to these stages in our First-Time Managers training programs since we believe that understanding each stage can help you identify where your team is in its development and guide them through each phase to build a high-performing team.

Discover the Five Stages of a Team

1. Forming
   
   During the Forming stage, team members get to know each other, define the scope of their work, and establish expectations. This is the time to set goals and establish a sense of purpose.
   
   As a new manager, you need to take advantage of this stage to build strong team bonds and establish trust. Creative ways to bond with your team include social events, team-building exercises, and frequent reference to the triptych vision-mission-values.
   
   This is the first and most important step for you as a new manager. Most of the time managers do not make the most of it. Remember this is your team's preparation phase and the effort you put into this stage will pay back later on.
2. Storming
   
   The next stage is the Storming stage, where conflicts may arise as team members define their roles and work style. As a first-time manager, it's important to guide the team through these challenges and help them resolve any conflicts. Take initiatives with one-to-one meetings to explore the views and concerns of your people, but also team meetings to discuss all together.
   
   Practice active listening and be present and approachable. Conflicts arise the most in this stage but if you are willing to discuss and foster a culture of openness within your team, it is a phase that is inevitable but can be short in time.
3. Norming
   
   During the Norming stage, the team begins to work together more smoothly and coherently. Group members establish a common language and values and begin to develop a sense of trust and teamwork, often bordering on friendship.
   
   Capitalize this climate the most, try to improve processes and strengthen partnerships. Utilize your team's strengths and delegate accordingly at the early stages of norming to get this opportunity for a little more Design than Do-Decide-Delegate.
4. Performing
   
   At the Performing stage, the team is fully operational and achieves its goals. As a manager, your role is to continue to support the team and provide the resources needed to ensure its continued success.
   
   We would suggest soft skills training and updating the technical skills of your team as a way to extend the performance stage. This is the stage you want to prolong, in this phase the team is at its best, thus providing the resources to them to constantly develop will boost their trust in you and the overall team's morale.
5. Adjourning
   
   The 5th phase of team development is known as Adjourning or Mourning. This stage is not always included in the original four stages proposed by Tuckman, but it is now widely accepted as a crucial final step.
   
   This extra stage is being discussed in many books such as "Organizational Behavior: Human Behavior at Work" by John W. Newstrom and Keith Davis as well as in the book "Group Dynamics for Teams" by Daniel Levi.
   
   During this stage, the team has completed its task and is ready to disband. Team members may feel a sense of loss or sadness as the project or task comes to an end. It's important for managers to acknowledge the team's accomplishments and help them celebrate their successes before moving on to new projects or tasks.
   
   This stage is also an opportunity for team members to reflect on what they have learned and take those lessons forward into future projects. In other words, this stage emphasizes the importance of debriefing and feedback. These actions will ensure that individuals process their experience and prepare for future group work.

   Navigating Through the Stages of Team Development as a Pro

   As a First-Time Manager, it's important to understand the stages of your team and know how to lead them effectively through each phase of development.
   
   By using the Tuckman model of team development, you can anticipate the challenges your team may face and proactively guide them through each stage towards high performance. Remember to focus on building trust, encouraging open communication, and providing the resources needed to ensure your team's success.
   
   With dedication and effort, you can create a team that is motivated, productive, and able to achieve great things. For more models relevant to team management and tips for effective leadership as a First-Time Manager join our community.