Sunday, October 27, 2013

3.1 THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO BE A GREAT BOSS: Helping New Teams Perform Effectively, Quickly

(EXTRACTION FROM TEAM MANAGEMENT: Team Management Skills at http://www.mindtools.com)

Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing

Effective teamwork is essential in today's world.  A new team can’t be expected to perform exceptionally from the very outset.  Team formation takes time.
Teams initially go through a "forming" stage in which members are positive and polite.  This stage is usually fairly short, and may only last for the single meeting at which people are introduced to one-another.  Reality sets in and your team moves into a "storming" phase.  The ways of working start to be defined.  Gradually, the team moves into a "norming" stage.  The team members know each other better, they may be socializing together, and they are able to ask each other for help and provide constructive criticism.  When the team reaches the "performing" stage, hard work leads directly to progress towards the shared vision of their goal.
Project teams exist only for a fixed period, and even permanent teams may be disbanded through organizational restructuring.  Breaking up a team can be stressful for all concerned and the "adjourning" or "mourning" stage.

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES AT DIFFERENT GROUP FORMATION STAGES
Forming
·        Direct the team and establish objectives clearly
Storming
·        Establish process and structure
·        work to smooth conflict
·        build good relationships between team members
·        provide support
·        Remain positive and firm in the face of challenges
·        consider teaching assertiveness and conflict resolution skills
Norming
·        help the team take responsibility for progress towards the goal
·        good time to arrange a social, or a team-building event
Performing
·        Delegate as far as you sensibly can
Adjourning
·        take the time to celebrate its achievements

Understanding and Accelerating Group Formation

Managing a new group can seem difficult, chaotic, and doomed to end in disappointment.  At the start, people are only interacting tentatively, and don't seem focused on the job in hand.

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