Thursday, June 8, 2023

Discussion 5A – Tuckman’s five stage model of group and team development

Discuss the following:

1.)    What happens at each stage of a group/team’s development according to Tuckman’s five-stage model?

2.)    What are the leadership requirements and behaviours at each stage?

Forming

The initial phase of structuring an organisation is always the challenging part. I have had been a part of various start-up companies and commissioning of power plant; I have always been part of a team of experienced power plant professionals of different nationalities. We were always group in teams to handle the operations and maintenance of a power plant; paired with different levels of experience in power generations; from the most experience, to average and to apprentice. From experience, the ambiguity of working with different levels of experienced personnel is somewhat stressful, albeit a disaster waiting to happen. As per Tuckman’s work, through Vaida’s interpretation, individuals can be polite, assessment of peers’ personality and grouping themselves apart as per their like-mindedness. (Vaida, S., 2021) Generally, an anxiety towards their work and workmates are discussed.

Team vision, ground rules and explanation of job description should be clearly established. The Leader should spearhead guidance and promote camaraderie to ease the tension of uncertainty and animosity within the group. (Vaida, S. 2021) Failure in doing so could jeopardize the team’s effort for a common goal. Each team member must have an active participation to the team’s common interest to identify connections with one another. 

Storming

Every developing team are always faced with a conflict or two or even more in progressing to their common goal, it is an inherent fact that should not be avoided and discussed to strengthen the team. (Vaida, S. 2021) Storming is a stage where the team undergoes reflection on what to do to achieve its common desire. Personal relations and competitiveness are discussed during this stage. The question of leadership and team hierarchy are being discussed also, together with lack of job explanation and progress. (Vaida, S. 2021) And this is an on-going struggle within the team.

The Leaders should be able to mitigate this concerns early on by being pro-active to their subordinates in solving conflicts within the team and resort to hear feedbacks from within. Communication is key in every team member to move forward and progress.

Norming

As the team progresses to the next level, it will be identified that guideline and a focus in a common goal are required rather than egos and pride. (Vaida, S. 2021)

Accordingly, norming is a stage where a transition of maturity will be developed. People’s differences will be resolved and begin to be more comfortable to each other. Trust is a requirement to lead a team. It is encouraged to collaborate within the team in establishing certain protocols, thus a high level of participation is encouraged as well to define certain roles and establish Standard Operation Protocol (SOP).

 The supervisor should be more open to suggestions to be more flexible in identifying the group’s mandates. There will still be conflicts, but a more reasonable and matured dealings will be observed. (Vaida, S. 2021)

Performing

As conflicts within the group are slowly being managed in a matured way, the next stage fulfills the group’s transition. Team cohesion and a degree of excitement are noted. The relationships of each team member at this stage have a positive impact to conflict as intimacy and group maturity are proven. (Vaida, S. 2021)

However, a risk of deterioration can occur at this stage. But as the group evolve its maturity, a positive mindset is established in moving forward.

Adjourning

As the team reached their goals, certain team members are ready to leave and take on another role or advancement to the next level. Separation anxiety within the team is prevalent during this stage, as certain goals are reached, or a task or project is completed. Some team members are ready to take on another challenge or redeployed or transfer to another group.

A recognition of sort is in order, a certain goodbye, and farewells, with matching accolades. Whilst the group continues to strive productively, a minor crisis may occur temporarily, and a new member will be welcome and the whole cycle will start over again.

Reference

Vaida, S. (2021). GROUP DEVELOPMENT STAGES. A BRIEF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MODELS. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Psychologia-Paedagogia, 66(1), p. 93. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.1.05

Vaida, S. (2021). GROUP DEVELOPMENT STAGES. A BRIEF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MODELS. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Psychologia-Paedagogia, 66(1), p. 93. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.1.05

Vaida, S. (2021). GROUP DEVELOPMENT STAGES. A BRIEF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MODELS. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Psychologia-Paedagogia, 66(1), p. 93. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.1.05

Vaida, S. (2021). GROUP DEVELOPMENT STAGES. A BRIEF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MODELS. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Psychologia-Paedagogia, 66(1), p. 93. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.1.05

Vaida, S. (2021). GROUP DEVELOPMENT STAGES. A BRIEF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MODELS. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Psychologia-Paedagogia, 66(1), p. 94. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.1.05

Vaida, S. (2021). GROUP DEVELOPMENT STAGES. A BRIEF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MODELS. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Psychologia-Paedagogia, 66(1), p. 95. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2021.1.05

 

 

 

 

 

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A Son Never Forgets

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