Here's something that will change how you see your team: every team goes through the same predictable stages of development.
Yes, even that dysfunctional team you inherited. Even your star performers. Understanding these stages is like having a roadmap for leadership.
Engagement Message
Have you noticed your team dynamics shifting over time?
These four stages are called Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing. Psychologist Bruce Tuckman discovered this pattern after studying hundreds of teams.
Your job as a leader changes dramatically at each stage. What works in one stage can backfire in another.
Engagement Message
Ever wonder why your leadership approach sometimes feels off?
Forming is the honeymoon phase. Everyone's polite, cautious, and looking to you for direction. People avoid conflict and stick to safe topics.
New team members might hesitate to share technical opinions in code reviews or architecture discussions. It feels peaceful, but don't be fooled - they're not yet a real team.
Engagement Message
Does your team still feel like they're walking on eggshells around technical decisions?
Storming is when the real work begins. People start disagreeing about coding standards, questioning architecture choices, and debating tool selections. It can feel chaotic and uncomfortable.
Many leaders panic here and try to force harmony back. Big mistake - this technical conflict is necessary for growth and better solutions.
Engagement Message
Has your "nice" team suddenly become difficult to manage around technical decisions?
Norming emerges when the team works through their differences. They develop shared coding practices, agreed-upon technical processes, and genuine collaboration on complex problems.
You'll notice they start making technical decisions without you and reaching out to each other directly to solve issues.
