Stages of Team Development

Today, I’d like to talk about team development and a well-known model created by Bruce Tuckman. This framework helps us understand how teams evolve and grow.

There are four key stages of team development:

✔️ Forming
✔️ Storming
✔️ Norming
✔️ Performing

Let’s explore each stage in detail…

1. Forming: The Beginning of a Team

This is when a team first comes together—whether it’s a project team, a board of directors, or a new team member joining an existing group. At this stage:

🔹 Members get to know each other.
🔹 Roles and responsibilities are unclear.
🔹 There is excitement but also uncertainty.

Once the team starts interacting, they enter the next stage—Storming.

2. Storming: The Challenge Phase

At this stage, teams experience conflict and power struggles. People assert themselves, question leadership, and compete for influence. You might notice:

• Clashes in ideas and personalities.
• Challenges to authority and processes.
• Frustration as people try to establish their roles.

Although this phase can be uncomfortable, it’s a normal and necessary step towards building a strong team.

3. Norming: Establishing Rules & Roles

After the Storming phase, teams begin to settle. Norming is when:

• Clear roles and responsibilities emerge.
• Teams develop shared values and working norms.
• Collaboration improves, and conflict decreases.

At this point, team members understand their place and start working towards common goals.

4. Performing: High-Performance Teamwork

Once teams reach the Performing stage, they operate at peak efficiency. This means:

• High levels of collaboration.
• Clear objectives and strong team dynamics.
• Consistently delivering excellent results.

A well-functioning team in the Performing stage is focused, aligned, and driven by shared success.

How Leaders Can Support Team Development

As a team leader, whether you’re a Managing Director or a Project Manager, it’s vital to:

• Identify which stage your team is in.
• Guide them through challenges (especially during the Storming phase).
• Encourage clear roles, communication, and trust.

By recognising where your team stands, you can support them in reaching peak performance.

You can watch more of our short videos here.

With best regards,

David Klaasen

Talent4Performance help business leaders clarify complexity. We inspire people and drive continuous performance improvement, so they can convert thinking into action and results.

©David Klaasen – 2025