Guest post by Jake Blocker
Think of all the times you’ve had to work in a team or manage a team at work. Now think of all of the complications that arose within these teams. Working with others can be incredibly challenging, but your goals can be accomplished much more smoothly with an action plan, as well as an understanding of effective small-group communication.
Your action plan should consist of two key elements, your goals and your roles. It cannot be overstated how important setting, and remembering your goals are in any workplace scenario. As a team, many people will be working to achieve a common goal, so the first step to any project is setting those goals, and keeping yourself and your team on track to completing each goal. Within each goal your team has set will be a subset of goals for each individual, these will have to do with each team member’s role.
Each person’s role must be identified early in the small group development process in order to properly set goals. The 5 stages of your team development are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
Forming
The forming stage exists to hash out any confusion between group members. This is where all introductions are given, allowing for relationship building within the team. It is at this point where roles should be assigned and team building exercises should be held to avoid uncertainty. Forming is important to setting you and your team up for collaborative success while learning enough about your teammates to better tackle future conflict.
Storming
The storming stage is when the conflict will arise. As members begin their tasks, conflict is inevitable. Each individual should be dealt with separately if possible, recounting what was learned about them in the forming stage. What did the forming stage tell you about their conflict and how they should respond? How does their conflict relate to their role, individual goals, and your team’s goals? Assessing all of these is necessary in conflict management.
Norming
It is important that any major conflicts be dealt with ASAP. After working through initial conflict, you will enter the norming stage. This is when the rules and norms of your team have been solidified. You will be sure to see productivity in this stage. If not, there may be some unnoticed conflict that must be addressed.
Performing
In the performing stage, tasks should be close to completing and individual goals should be in sight. Group synergy should be high at this point, work should be done relatively soon and the team goal should be in sight.
Adjourning
At the adjourning stage, your team will dissolve. You will have either accomplished your goal, or complications that arose overtook your group work and the goal could not be met. Reflection is key at this stage, to look back and see what went wrong and how you and others can improve. Self-reflection is vital to future success.
In most failed team or group goals, there is some sort of conflict, either internal or external. Avoiding conflict is rarely the answer in a team, and the greatest strategy to combat issues is open and honest communication. To what extent will depend on the role assumed by each individual, their conflict resolution style, and what you learned about each team member through initial team bonding in the forming stage.
Remember, you are in this together. Treating your team members with respect, empathy, honesty, and encouragement will most always inspire motivation and help achieve your common goals.
Jake Blocker is a communication expert, with a primary focus in developing more balanced, cohesive, and productive work environments where people truly thrive. Jake uses his writing to help professionals find balance in their careers with the use of proper communication techniques, practices, and philosophy.
