Five Stages of Team Development

Teams grow and develop at different rates and times.  However, they do all follow fairly predictable stages of maturity in their effort to create team synergy.  Each stage is characterized by unique strengths and weaknesses.  As you review these, ask yourself which stage you think your team is in:

1. Immature Stage:
   The participants of this team have not yet begun to collaborate.  They are still looking to management for direction and operate very cautiously.  This stage is indicative of newly formed teams.  It can also be experienced by more established teams who have experienced a major change in responsibilities and roles.  Usually, most individuals are willing to work together in this stage and feel positive about moving forward, even if they are unsure of their roles and responsibilities.
   
2. Fragmented Stage:
   A fragmented team may experience conflict.  Team members may challenge each other, withhold information or disagree about insignificant things.  Team members will feel frustration and dissatisfied with their ability to accomplish results.  Although conflict and dissatisfaction does occur in this stage, it is a positive sign that people are starting to communicate and taking the first steps toward organizing tasks, roles and responsibilities.
   
3. Cohesive Stage:
   In this stage, team members are now able to discuss feelings, perspectives and reactions openly without constant disagreement.  Relationships among team members have grown stronger and there is a greater appreciation for each team members strengths and differences.  This stage is a critical junction for the tem in terms of moving forward.  While they are not fully collaborating with each other yet, they are much more productive.
   
4. Effective Stage:
   The team is working well together when they get to the effective stage.  In this stage, they enjoy working together and are able to get the job done.  They can openly exchange feelings, facts and accomplishments.  They are basically operating in a "groove" not only in how they relate to each other, but also in how they go about doing their work.
   
5. Synergistic Stage:
   Synergistic teams are discontent with operating "in a groove" and achieve the highest level of productivity.  They are highly developed and interdependent.  They are able to solve problems in a highly creative and productive way.  They can agree to disagree while continuing to work well together to accomplish goals.  There is a great deal of trust and mutual respect.  Team members see the team's goals as just as important (if not more important) than their own needs.
   

If your team is not operating at the synergistic stage, ask yourself what you need to do to enhance interpersonal relationships and goal accomplishment.  You may want to provide team building programs or other resources to strengthen how well your team operates.  Remember that all teams will go through predictable stages of development and you can grow beyond your current point.