Army Family Team Building
Building Cohesive Teams
Stages of Team Development
Stage Stage Characteristics
What’s Going On?
Members are:
• Wondering who are the key people.
Forming • Trying to figure out what this
group is about, how they fit in the
group, what the group wants from
them, and what they will get out of
their involvement.
• Dependent on the leader for
structure and direction.
(minimal work is accomplished)
• Becoming testy, blameful or over
Storming zealous.
• Relying on their personal
experience and resisting
collaborating with other team
members.
• Jockeying for position within the
group.
• Dependent on the leader for
continued direction but also conflict
resolution and coaching.
(minimal work is accomplished)
• Listening to one another.
Norming • Trying out how they best work with
one another.
• Taking on leadership roles.
• Accepting team ground rules
(norms).
• Accepting their roles within the
team.
• Needing a supportive style of
leadership.
(moderate levels of work are
accomplished)
2006/7
Level III
Facilitating Team Development What Can I Do?
Checklist
Things I Can Do As
Leader of the Group
o Allow time for team members
to get acquainted.
o Establish ground rules and
norms.
o Share strengths and
challenges.
o Develop a common vision and
mission.
o Create group identity.
o Discuss values and develop
goals.
o Promote open communication.
o Allow conflict.
o Focus on short term goals.
o Encourage positive attitudes.
o Provide empowering
leadership.
o Maintain open communication.
o Increase focus on team goals.
o Celebrate team achievements.
o Encourage shared leadership.
3.4 Handout 4-1
 Army Family Team Building Level III

Stage Stage Characteristics Facilitating Team Development What Can I Do?

Checklist
What’s Going On? Things I Can Do As
Leader of the Group
Members are:

• Supporting one another. o Encourage innovation.

Performing • Communicating openly. o Conduct periodic assessments.
• Accepting each other’s strengths o Continue to acknowledge and
and weaknesses. celebrate success.
• Making things happen. o Share team leadership roles.
• Taking on more responsibilities.
• Performing as a team.
• Needing a delegating style of
leadership.

(high level of work accomplished)

• Transitioning due to changes in o Promote and maintain open

Transforming leadership, task, new group communication.
members, etc. o Assess your stage in the
• Stagnating due to lack of developmental process.
motivation, enthusiasm, etc. o Use the skills needed to work
• Asking how the group should through this stage.
interpret and respond to change. o Encourage involvement.
• Questioning communication, how
changing roles will influence
current team members, and how
these implications will be handled.
• Reverting to the characteristics
described in the forming stage.

(minimal work is accomplished)

2006/7 3.4 Handout 4-2