The Essential Guide

There is a widely adopted approach to team building that was first defined by Bruce Tuckman, an American Psychological Researcher.  He set out 4 stages with a 5^th stage added later.

The Stages of Team Building

We look at the 4 stages of team building and the extra 5^th in more detail. The reason this model has been successful with assisting team building is that it’s so easy to remember and identify from the descriptions of the stages.

Each time a new member is added to the team the whole team return to the forming stage but can quickly move through the stages as they are well established and able to nurture and train new team members efficiently and effectively.

A team may move from one stage to another and back again, depending on the project they are tackling and each individual team members stage of the learning journey, as detailed below.  During the process leaders will be able to identify any training need or skills gaps that can be filled to enable the team to move forward.

The team leaders also have 4 stages that marry to the progression of the team.

1. Direct management – Show, set tasks, manage
2. Participation – Assist
3. Detached delegation – Mentorship
4. Moves on to a new team or bigger team having developed the skill in others

Team members will each be at one of the stages below depending on their learning journey

• Unconscious incompetence – Naïve beginner – might deny the need
• Conscious incompetence – Penny drops, see the need,
• Conscious competence – Practice – Without assistance
• Unconscious competence – 2^nd nature or intuitive (Examples are driving, cycling, typing)
• Complacency or Reflective competence e.g. An instructor.

The instructor can manage the team leaders and enable them to reach the same 5^th stage. As a result they become instructors themselves over time, having brought many teams through the 5 stages.

Team building is known to really help the individuals in the team in some of the following areas, by improving –

 

 

• Collaboration
• Motivation
• Communication
• Creativity
• Relationship building
• Trust
• Productivity
• Healthy risk taking
• Wellbeing

 

What is clear is that team building events and trips are useful for helping teams to develop through the stages. The result, therefore, is a quicker and more effective process that fosters stronger relationships.

Having a team building event or trip away from the usual working environment is beneficial.  Therefore, choose a grand setting like a Castle with its stunning luxurious rooms and facilities – this can feel like a real treat for employees and make the event even more memorable.

With lots of space you can invite activity providers on site and bring in sales/leadership trainers along making the logistics that much easier to manage.

Keep the finance department happy by opting for an off peak, midweek trip and enjoy lower prices.