Organizational Leadership Model Management Term Paper (Term Paper Sample)

Five Stages of Team Development
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Five Stages of Team Development
In the creation and development of any successful team, there are five basic processes that involved. The five steps of group development adopted by teams were developed by Dr. Bruce Tuckman as a model in 1965.in the stages of group development, the various stages involved from group inception to its ultimate and successful completion of the mission is described. Through this five stage model, key areas that are subject to failure in the course of the team project are identified and addressed appropriately by the team members and coordinators. The stages include, forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning processes (Miller,2009). Ever since the creation of this model, managers have been comfortable in running their teams in organizational management through the creation of new team development perspectives.
Forming
This stage requires the attention of the team members to their team leaders. The team is carefully guided by the authority and mandates of the leader with no cordial relationships maintained with outside forces. The credibility of the team is tested though questions and inquiries from the team members. Also, the members evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their team.
To ensure success at this stage, both the team leader and the members should invest adequate time in making useful and comprehensive consultations in line with the purpose of the team. The team should barely lay out the team goals and streamline their objectives with the leader leading by example the way of achievement of these goals.
Storming
In this second stage of team development, most of the members are more concerned by ways through which they can create positive impression and make their mark in the specific setup. Always, the objectives and the purpose of the project of concern are prone to fall apart at this stage as there is little interest attached to the team project. With the advanced systems of communication in business operation, this stage risks the highest numbers of member division and isolation.
Norming
The third stage is seen as a milestone in the process of team and group development. Teams that successfully find their way through to this stage are probably one of the best. The stage may take long periods especially in the management of business. At this stage the dreams and wild team ideas are transformed into realities with other aspects of team business such as taking of risks. The roles and responsibilities of the team and also for each member are well established resulting into the focus towards achieving the common organizational purpose.
Performing
This fourth stage calls for the real independence of the group as they have expanded the comprehensiveness of their relations. The team at hand is fully operational at this stage and has all its essential parts moving. The team members are filled with meaningful and valuable conflicts which are healthy to their business relationships. With every member including the leader capable of performing to their best, success is almost guaranteed with visibly every effort put in by the members.
Adjourning
After a successful completion of the team mandate the team brings its activities to a conclusion in this stage after successfully navigating through the first four stages. Due to the impending separation, there is a sense of loss among individuals due to previously formed bonding relationships. The stage is a perfect time for team reflection on how far they have come and the efforts and contributions each member has put in the team. The outcome of these reflections matters most to the move made by each individual into their next team or group after the conclusion of the current team. In conclusion, this is a time for recognition and appreciation of each and every individual’s efforts.
Challenges in the Five Stages of Team Development
Forming
The process involving the first stage of team development may hampered by several changes in each of the stages. Some common challenges may include; unclear objectives, the failure to engage disinterested members, confusion among the team members, low morale, hidden feelings and poor listening.
Solution
To help successfully pass this stage, the team leader must ensure the members are properly introduced to each other. Also, proper channels of good communication must be created and the needs of the team laid out well.
Storming
In the storming stage there are constant arguments on structuring the team emotions and struggles to constitute a great team. There may therefore be challenges and conflicts over issues such as who should head the team. Also, conflicts may arise due lack of cohesion due to unfamiliarity among members, lack of inconsistency and anger due to failure at the initial stages.
Solution
To solve these challenges at this stage of team development, the members should spent ample time clarifying the objectives, goals and purpose of the team so as to instill a sense for more focus. Also, collaboration rules and shared activities among the team members should be encouraged and their essence made known to all members.
Norming
In this stage, closer relationships and cohesiveness is established among team members. However, with the close relations more severe challenges may arise among the team members. Some of the team members may open up to others on potentially risky and sensitive issues causing disbelief and instability in the team. Fear of future team breakup may creep into the minds of the members. Also, members may be attempted to resist any further changes to the structure of the team due to the already established relations.
Solutions
Alleviating these challenges requires that the team leader and the members focus on the means suitable methods by which they can balance between the work requirements and the social welfare of the team members. The comfortable collaboration between the members in their place of work is therefore essential in this stage.
Performing
Whereas a steady state has been attained by the members and there is optimal performance in the work, there may be targeted challenges. The challenges may be subject of an obvious crumble into a happy and underperforming team; and the ever growing focus on the tasks of the team.
Solution
Solving these challenges requires the leader to instill a consistent sense of focus and control the activities of the team members. Therefore, the steadfastness of the team leader is critical to the success of the team at this particular stage.
Adjourning
In the process of disbanding the team and closure of tasks, the team members may be depressed by the loss of close working relationships and personal friendships.
Solution
The institution of a well wrap up party, through celebration of past efforts and successes of the team is essential. Effective management transition methods are useful at this closure stage of the team development (Hik, 2013).
Plan of Action
Despite the solutions that can be used to solve the challenges associated with the various stages of team development, a comprehensive plan of action is necessary for changing the visions of the team into reality and also enhance the effective operation of the team(Corrective Action | Training | UHRS | IU, 2017). The action plan makes the manner through which a group may use its strategies used to achieve the set objectives. The action plan stipulates the essential team steps and the changes that need to be effected. It clearly defines the individuals involved in key actions in the organization, the time of action, and the resources required (Chapter 8. Developing a Strategic Plan | Section 5. Developing an Action Plan | Main Section | Community Tool Box, 2015 ).
Selecting a Good Action Plan for the Team
To establish successful team operations, specific criteria and factors have to be considered in making selecting an appropriate action plan for the team. The plan of action must at least have the following characteristics;
Complete- The plan of action should comprehensively engage all the five steps of the team development and the changes to be covered by the team activity.
Clarity- the plan of action must specifically state the role of each team member in achieving the objectives of the team and the time frame under which they should accomplish their tasks.
Current- the ability of the plan of action to reflect on contemporary team issues is essential. Also, the plan of action should be able to anticipate upcoming needs of the team and address them adequately.
Action Plan for Success of Team Development
The plan of action for enhancing the success of the five stages of team development is presented below.
Problem Definition
Due to the various challenges that exist in within the five stages of team development, it is imperative that an appropriate plan of action is instituted to help address and curb future challenges. The challenges arise from forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning of our team mandates. This plan of action, therefore, aims at ensuring the success of the five stages of team development for our group.
Aspects of Performance
The plan of action aims at addressing the following challenges that may arise from each stage of team development;
Forming
* Unclear objectives
* Confusion
* Low morale among members.
* Hidden feelings and disinterest.