How can you use theory to build a better team?

1 Tuckman's Stages of Group Development

One of the most well-known team building theories is Tuckman's stages of group development, which describes how teams evolve over time. According to Tuckman, teams go through four stages: forming, storming, norming, and performing. In the forming stage, team members get to know each other and establish roles and expectations. In the storming stage, team members experience conflicts and challenges as they try to work together. In the norming stage, team members resolve their differences and develop norms and standards. In the performing stage, team members work smoothly and efficiently as a cohesive unit. As a team leader, you can use this theory to identify which stage your team is in and what actions you need to take to help them move to the next stage.

2 Belbin's Team Roles

Another useful team building theory is Belbin's team roles, which identifies nine roles that are essential for a balanced and successful team. These roles are: plant, resource investigator, coordinator, shaper, monitor evaluator, team worker, implementer, completer finisher, and specialist. Each role has its own strengths and weaknesses, and contributes to the team in a different way. By using Belbin's theory, you can assess the role preferences and gaps in your team, and assign tasks and responsibilities accordingly. You can also use this theory to improve the communication and collaboration among team members who have different or complementary roles.

3 Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team

A third team building theory that can help you diagnose and improve your team's performance is Lencioni's five dysfunctions of a team, which outlines the common pitfalls that prevent teams from reaching their full potential. These dysfunctions are: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. To overcome these dysfunctions, you need to build trust among team members, encourage constructive conflict, foster commitment to the team's goals, hold each other accountable for their actions, and focus on the collective outcomes. By using Lencioni's theory, you can identify the root causes of your team's problems and address them effectively.