Moving Toward Team Effectiveness, Part 1

A team has a number of challenges to overcome as it moves through the forming (beginning), storming (highly difficult and challenging time), norming (cooperation), and performing (high production) stages.

There’s lack of trust, little or no commitment, few results to build on, fear of conflict, and no accountability structure. Before the challenges are overcome, the team will often “dip lower” in productivity in contrast to what was accomplished by each individual prior to team formation.

Regarding the Knowledge/Trust Continuum , in the forming stage, no one knows what everyone else knows. Information is “hidden” in that sense, and very little trust, if any, exists.

At the storming stage, individuals disagree and clash with each other as they adjust to working together and making team decisions. Often they keep information to themselves due to pride and desire for control. Team members distrust one another. Leadership at this stage is very important in helping each member lay aside personal visions and collaborate on the team vision.

At the norming stage, members begin to share knowledge with each other and collaborate on projects.

Eventually, the team moves into the performing stage, creating new knowledge and
 experiencing synergy due to high levels of trust.

[Next week we will look at how Jesus led his team through each stage.]