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Bruce Tuckman also carried out extensive research about effective team working and developed a team stage model.

During his research he observed that teams do not start off as a fully effective unit. Instead, there are a number of stages that they need to go through in order to become fully effective.

1. Forming – This is when members of the group first meet one another. At this stage, very little progress will be made as people will be focusing on getting to know one another and trying to make a good impression.
2. Storming – This stage is likely to involve disagreements. Team members will be contributing ideas which will test the group’s ability to compromise and agree on moving forward.
3. Norming – Once disagreements have been overcome, this stage is about moving forward and making progress. Job roles may be assigned to different team members.
4. Performing – This is the most productive stage. There should be very little disagreement as everyone knows what they are meant to be doing and the team should now work as a fully effective unit.
5. Adjourning – This stage was added later and describes the process of ending the team working experience and moving on to a new challenge.

Team effectiveness

Employers are always keen to find people who are able to work effectively in a team.

Many jobs require team working and potential employers will often be looking for specific examples of team working to help reassure them that an individual will be a good fit for the organisation and make a valuable contribution.

Real-life example

The Chartered Association of Business Schools published a report placing team working as one of the most important skills valued by employers.