Building a successful team requires a systematic approach, involving several stages. One of the most widely used team development models is the Bruce Tuckman model, consisting of six stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, the team development approach, and the adjourning stage.
Yunita Anggraeni, the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Geekhunter, discussed the team’s development during a coaching session for The Greater Hub, a startup development program at the SBM ITB in Bandung on March 9, 2023. Yunita founded Geekhunter in July 2013 with Ken Ratri Iswari. It is Indonesia’s first recruitment agency or headhunter, focusing solely on IT roles.
According to Yunita, six stages of team development are needed to form a solid team. The first stage is forming, setting clear direction, goals, and core values, and finding your team’s values. Cultivating team-building and engagement activities and setting clear goals and expectations are crucial.
The second stage is storming, characterized by conflict and tension, resistance to group norms, battles for power and influence, and communication challenges. Acknowledging conflict and encouraging open communication to resolve issues and reach mutual understanding is important. Setting ground rules for communication and collaboration can help prevent conflicts from escalating.
The norming stage involves developing norms, improving communication, increasing collaboration, enhancing productivity, providing a supportive environment, and defining clear roles and responsibilities. Defining roles and responsibilities, establishing clear job responsibilities and technical competencies, and having a competency dictionary are essential for a team to function efficiently. Celebrating success, giving appreciation, and applying recognition are also important for building morale and motivation within the team.
While the performing stage is indicated by clear objectives, high levels of trust, effective communication, flexibility, interdependence, and continuous improvement. It encourages autonomy and delegation, identifies needs, selects the right people, plans delegations, convenes delegate meetings, creates action plans, and reviews plans.
‘By understanding and applying the principles of the forming, storming, norming, and performing stages the team can effectively overcome challenges and become more productive’ said Yunita. Additionally, the team development approach and adjourning stages help to foster continuous learning and ensure that team members are ready for new roles and responsibilities. A strong team can be a valuable asset for any startup, and investing in team development can ultimately lead to long-term success.