Tuckman's model – stages of team development

Tuckman Model is one of the most well-known tools describing team development. Proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965, the model outlines five stages that a team goes through before reaching full effectiveness.

📈 5 stages of the Tuckman model
 

1. 🌱 Forming
 

• Team members get to know each other, are polite, and cautious.

• Roles are unclear, and the leader plays a central organizational role.

• The team avoids conflicts - uncertainty and boundary testing dominate.
   

📌 Key leader task: building trust and clearly defining goals.
 

2. ⚡ Storming
 

• Tensions and differences of opinion start to emerge.

• Members question decisions, authorities, and boundaries.

• Conflicts may arise from unclear roles and work styles.
   

📌 Key leader task: moderating conflicts and supporting open dialogue.
 

3. 🤝 Norming
 

• The team begins to establish common norms and rules of cooperation.

• A sense of community is formed, trust and responsibility increase.

• Roles are clearly defined, communication is more effective.
   

📌 Key leader task: strengthening collaboration and promoting autonomy.
 

4. 🚀 Performing
 

• The team works with full efficiency and focuses on goals.

• Members are independent, proactive, and problem-solving oriented.

• The leader can take on a facilitator role, supporting development.
   

📌 Key leader task: removing obstacles and maintaining motivation.
 

5. 🎯 Adjourning
 

• Stage added later (1977) - related to the dissolution of the team.

• Members may feel pride, but also sadness or concern.

• It is important to summarize achievements and ensure a dignified end to cooperation.
   

📌 Key leader task: facilitating transition and formally closing the project.
 

✅ Advantages of the Tuckman model
 

• 🔍 Structure: Clear and understandable model for leaders and teams.

• 💡 Team Awareness: Facilitates recognition of stages and their challenges.

• 🔄 Adaptability: Helps predict team behaviors and react to them.

⚠️ Disadvantages of the model
 

• 🌍 Limited Universality: May not be fully applicable in collectivist cultures.

• 🧪 Lack of Flexibility: Does not consider atypical development paths or team regression.

📌 Summary

The Tuckman Model is a practical tool that helps better manage team dynamics. It helps leaders and team members understand the natural stages of group development and appropriately respond to challenges at each stage.

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