Understand the five stages of group development for team success

Understanding the humanistic calendar for the development of the group is the key to the success of the team. Just as you wouldn’t expect a six-month-old to walk, you also wouldn’t expect a new team to come together quickly and perform as well. Much of today’s work is accomplished through group effort, transformation teams are developed, projects are managed through group interaction, groups are formed as companies and divisions merge to jointly create a unified team.

As a coach, consultant, and mentor, I have been asked to assist numerous newly formed or transitioning teams. The first thing I do is assess where the team is in its development stages. Studies show that it takes six months for a new group to be truly productive. Yes, six months. Trust me, they are not wasting time for the first six months, they are progressing and building a strong team built on a long lasting foundation.

Let’s look at the stages of group development.

Stage one is Dependency and Inclusion. The new team blends in, like strangers at a party. The first two months are spent getting to know each other and learning about each other’s talents and abilities. They begin to weave the threads of their team, weaving together the fabric that represents their shared goals.

At four months, the team enters Stage Two, one of Contradependence. Feeling safe with each other, rational disagreements arise and conflicts begin to arise. Conflict builds trust and strengthens voices while opening the door to new ideas. This is not a team in trouble. Using guided skills to optimize this stage offers an opportunity to put footholds on your foundation.

Stage three occurs about a month later when, working through the conflict, trust and security emerge. The group is more participative, talkative and respectful of different voices. Stage four, within six to eight months, results in a predictable, high-performing group of close-knit colleagues focused on results. Wouldn’t every leader, organization, and team member want to achieve that goal?

Stage Five occurs when, perhaps due to the termination of the project, the group disbands and its members carry the skills they learned into their next group experience. So, look at the groups that you are a part of or manage. What stage are they in? Create awareness in the group by informing them of the stages of development of the group. Use the information to allow the group to grow and develop at its normal rate, and know that the results will be long-lasting, productive, and much more fun!