“Individual work wins a match, but it’s team spirit that wins the World Cup.” – Aimé Jacquet
The success of a company depends on the team that makes it up. It is essential to understand how this team works, and this is where the Bruce Tuckman and Vincent Lenhardt model comes into play. This model identifies three crucial stages in the development of a team, based on identity of its members and their energetic focus points.
The Three Stages of Team Development
The three stages of team development are: formation, solidarity and performance. At the first stage, the team is a simple collection of individuals, each focused on their own expertise and personal success. In the second stage, leadership is asserted, team boundaries are defined, and collaboration and mutual listening become essential. Finally, in the third stage, the team’s identity is formed around a shared vision.
Diagnosing the Team Development Stage
To diagnose the stage of development of your team, it is crucial to collect information on how it works. This can be done through live observation during a management meeting or through individual interviews. Once the diagnosis has been established, the preparation of an intervention plan is essential to move the team towards stage 3.
The Role of the Coach at Each Stage
The role of the coach varies depending on the stage of development of the team. In stage 1, he must create an alliance with the leader and establish trust between the leader and the team members. In addition, he must put in place a progressive growth plan. To move from stage 1 to stage 2, the coach must help the leader define group boundaries and individual territories. In stage 2, he must encourage the group to develop their listening skills, to establish operating rules and to collaborate effectively. To move from stage 2 to stage 3, the coach must guide the group in co-developing a shared vision.
Conclusion
In summary, diagnosing the functioning of your team is a key element for the success of a company. This diagnosis makes it possible to understand where the team is located in its development dynamic and to identify the actions necessary to move it towards a shared and efficient vision.