Teambuilding is a structured process of taking a group of people (employees, students, volunteers, committee members, etc.) and teaching them to appreciate the differences each brings to the table and learning to work as a united group.
When work groups learn to appreciate differences, they become a cohesive team and are able to meet goal objectives in a more efficient way.
Teambuilding is important because it provides a support structure for the organization and creates an environment where team members feel involved and valued. A healthy, functional team environment fosters creativity which is critical to a growing, thriving organization.
It is important that every team has a sponsor – a person who provides the team with the goal and the resources needed to accomplish the goal. The team also needs a strong team leader who helps direct and keeps the team to task.
The process of teambuilding goes through natural stages.
Stage 1 – Forming
In this first step, the group of employees get to know how each other thinks and acts in a group setting. This is when the team learns the “rules” of the team and the expectations of the group. As the team learns these pieces, they also learn how to work together to accomplish the task set before them.
Stage 2 – Storming
The 2nd stage of teambuilding is storming. This is when the team members get to know each other and how each operates in the team environment. The stronger personalities come out and the group learns to share ideas and debate issues. This is typically the most conflictive stage of team development. A good team leader helps the team learn to use conflict in a positive way and not allow it to slow the team process down.
Stage 3 – Norming
The norming stage of team development is when the team begins to demonstrate team skills and to work as a cohesive group. They become accustomed to each others’ differences and compliment each others strengths. It is in this stage that the team begins to operate effectively and gains momentum in completing tasks towards goal accomplishment.
Stage 4 – Performing
Performing is the final stage of team development. This is the stage when the team has come together as a group and are operating at a high level of efficiency and accomplishing the task it was charged with. They have learned to work together and have momentum in the team process.
When team members change, whether a member leaves or new members join the team, the stages are often repeated.
All team members should have a common goal and that is to accomplish that which the team sets out to do. Once a goal is accomplished, it is also important to celebrate the accomplishment.
