Team Building
Teaching notes:
As a group leader you need to get your group focused and working together as a team.
All teams will go through phases - this is a natural process.
o Forming – the time when we all get together, we don’t know each other well, we
don’t know what we want to achieve as a team
o Storming – a time when we disagree on issues of leadership and direction
o Norming – the time when we have gotten to know each other, we work well
together, know each others work habits and agree on team rules
o Performing – the time when as a team we work interdependently, we know each
others strengths and weaknesses. We are motivated and knowledgeable.
o Mourning – the time when something happens (someone is returned home, the
season finishes) and there is a sense of loss in the team.
As a leader of a group, you need to be aware of these phases and consider where your
team is at and what you may have to do about it.
Teams will move back into phases that you thought they had moved through. Even the
most high-performing teams will revert to earlier stages in certain circumstances.
Sharing the knowledge of the concept of Teams - Forming, Storming, Norming,
Performing and Mourning may be helpful to your team.
As a group leader your focus is to keep your team in the performing phase as much as
possible.
Vakameasina – Leadership Resources
© Fruition Horticulture (BOP) Ltd
THINK and DISCUSS
The impact some of these phases may
have had on teams you have been in.
What phase is my team in at the moment?
Is there anything I need to do to move
my team through that phase?
If your team is stuck in a certain phase, you may need
to do something to move them on.
Is there something I need to do to keep my team
in the performing phase?
If your team has been performing well think about what is going on – what are the things
you as a leader and those around you are doing well. How can you make sure that this
continues?
Also think about what are the potential risks – it may be weather, physical or mental
tiredness that may reduce team performance. What can you do to manage this risk?
Some ideas include:
o Anticipate bad weather and make sure you work as hard as possible during good
weather to both earn enough money and get enough of the work done so the bad
weather doesn’t affect team morale and team performance.
o Use bad weather as opportunities for rest and relaxation.
o Ensure that people are getting enough sleep – most people need around 8 hours
sleep per night to maintain their physical and mental ability.
o Ensure that people are well fed and have plenty of water during the day.
If my team is in a storming phase what can be done to solve the conflict?
More is covered on this later but remember, conflict can have a very negative impact on
the team. Well managed conflict can be an opportunity for learning and empowering
team members.
Vakameasina – Leadership Resources
© Fruition Horticulture (BOP) Ltd
If my team is mourning, what can I do to move them past their loss?
Recognise when your team may be in a mourning phase. It could be as serious as
someone dying or it could be as simple as moving from a block where you were making
good money to one that is more challenging.
Most often talking about the loss is the important thing. Give your team members a
chance to talk about their loss or their frustration.
As a group leader it is important that you acknowledge their loss – even if it appears trivial
to you.
Use this space for notes, feedback and reflection
Vakameasina – Leadership Resources
© Fruition Horticulture (BOP) Ltd