Stage One: Team Formation
In the first stages of team building, the forming of the team takes place. The forming stage of any team is important because, in this stage, the members of the team are selected, first meeting set and people get to know one another, exchange some personal information, and begin to establish team’s purpose, norms and roles. Build consensus on how team is going to operate by establishing team contract and ground rules. This is also a good opportunity for the facilitator to see how each member of the team works as an individual and how the group interacts. Good time to set-up expectations and mission of the team.
During the forming stage, the individual’s behavior is driven by a desire to be accepted by other team members, and avoid controversy or conflict. Serious issues and feelings are avoided, and people focus on being busy with tasks, such as team organization, who does what, when to meet, and how long meeting are to be scheduled for. It is a time to gather information and impressions about each other, and about the scope of the task and how to approach it. This is a comfortable stage to be in, but the avoidance of conflict and threat means that not much actually gets done.
The team meets and learns about the opportunities and challenges, and then agrees on goals and begins to tackle the tasks. Team members tend to behave quite independently. They may be motivated but are usually relatively uninformed of the issues and objectives of the team. Team members are usually on their best behavior but very focused on themselves. Mature team members begin to model appropriate behavior even at this early phase. Sharing the knowledge of the concept of “Teams – Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing” is extremely helpful to the team. It is also helpful for the team to evaluate how the team meeting went and what they could to differently to improve their interaction and work processes.
Team leaders are expected to be quite active and directive during this phase. The sets the tone and creates the climate for interaction. They solicit volunteers to help facilitate discussion and record team’s ideas and keep the team on time schedule. The discussion facilitator and leader roles are usually combined into one person’s role. The facilitator makes introductions and helps team build their agenda for the meeting. Helps team interact by asking questions, using the “go-around” or round robin technique to give everyone an opportunity to speak and share their point of view on goals to be pursued. Encourages creative ideas for solving problems. Challenges members who are being negative or just supporting same old thinking about problems. Reviews agreements reached during the meeting, ask members to share take home learnings, and areas in which the team can improve their interaction and task accomplishments.
Growth Mindset: Be a Life-long Learner 