The Team Building Process: Practical Advice for the Manager

The team building process consists of several stages, with many experts claiming that only five steps lead to success. Wondering what the different phases look like? Check how to create a good team step by step! 

Forming: the first stage of the team building process

The formation stage is based on the team members getting to know each other, as well as getting to know what the structure of a given group looks like. At this point, your employees will choose a leader from among themselves who will lead them to their goal. An effective leader has specific knowledge and skills that will help him gain authority. At this stage, team members also look for answers to the following questions:

• What can the team offer me?
• What is expected of me?
• Do I feel good in the role that the leader has entrusted to me?

The team building process begins with finding a purpose that will unite all members of the group. Be patient during the formative stage as it may take longer than expected. 

During the first meeting, the leader should explain what each team member will be working on. Then he will present what are the goals of the project, for example, if the project is aimed at gaining more customers, he will determine the estimated sales results. If a problem arises at some point, the leader should find the source of the crisis, find a way to deal with it, and put the plan into action. 

If you are responsible for a given project, look for tools that will help you manage it. Using the appropriate application, you can plan the entire project, set deadlines and assign tasks to individual members. 

How to recognize the second stage of team building?

The "assault" phase is the key, but also the most difficult moment in the team building process. Colleagues openly express their opinions, therefore opposing views often clash. At this stage, team members develop methods of individual and group work. Some groups don't have much of a problem with it, while others never get out of this phase.

Team performance often declines at this stage as members engage in unproductive activities. Researchers emphasize that this is when cliques and subgroups form around people with strong personalities or similar views. To get through this stage of the team building process, members need to overcome various obstacles, accept individual differences, and reconcile conflicting methods of solving the tasks assigned to them. It should be emphasized that if in the "storm" phase the co-workers do not resolve conflicts, they will encounter serious problems in the next stages.

You see them happening more and more often conflicts at work? Or maybe employees lack motivation to act? Then check out how to build good team! Deploy team building - tasksthat will equip participants with useful skills. In addition, they will improve the atmosphere in the company, which will translate into better communication and cooperation. Schedule a brainstorming session where everyone can submit an idea. These types of tasks often speed up the team building process. Also look for interesting scenario games where teams have to solve a mystery. 

Team building process: normalization stage

If the team successfully resolves the conflict, the members will feel as if they are one. Participants agree on who will be the leader and what roles each person will play. The team building process is moving towards cohesion, unity and mutual understanding. Employee productivity increases when they know how to work together and begin to focus on group goals. At this point, a fragile understanding persists between the participants. If disputes arise, the team can quickly return to the "storm" phase.

Action stage: what to pay special attention to?

At the stage of operation, team members carry out tasks smoothly and effectively, without entering into unnecessary conflicts. The structure of the group is transparent and stable, and the leader does not have to supervise the actions of the participants all the time. Problems can still arise, but the team knows how to deal with them. Thanks to this, a conflict situation does not delay the implementation of the project or lead to a stoppage of activities.

If the team works stationary, you can easily monitor its activities. Things get complicated when your co-workers perform tasks remotely. To prevent conflicts, put in place processes that will make the project easier. Wondering how to improve employee relations manual? Organize daily online meetings or have mid-week progress reports prepared. In this way, you can easily check whether all team members perform their tasks well and have the necessary materials. 

What does the final stage of the team building process look like?

Members complete their assignments and summarize what went well and what needs more work. The group then moves on to new tasks. At the last meeting, the leader should give each person 5-10 minutes to share their thoughts with the rest of the team. If you lead a group, remember to take notes. You can analyze them later and draw conclusions to improve your efficiency in subsequent projects.

How to build an effective team?

Wondering how to improve the atmosphere at work? Outdoor game effectively supports the team building process. It will work not only when colleagues get along great, but also when they need to work on communication. Such activities perfectly combine educational value with great fun. This is a great opportunity for participants to get to know each other better. In addition, field games will improve the image of the company that organizes them. 

If you want to integrate newly hired employees with experienced staff, plan a company trip. In this way, you can also increase the involvement of team members and encourage them to focus more on their professional duties. In addition, you will familiarize yourself with the values, mission and vision of the company. Regardless of whether you want to build an effective team, celebrate together or distract employees from their daily duties, regularly organize incentive trips. To make your task easier, use the services of an organizing agency integration trips for companies. 

If your team needs to meet a deadline, let them know. Do not assume that your co-workers will complete the project in a given time if you do not indicate what the deadline is. By the way, explain why you want them to complete their task on time. This way, you won't be setting deadlines that only put pressure on team members. Sooner or later they will get used to the fact that nothing will happen if they exceed the deadlines and start ignoring them. 

Remind your team to contact you regularly in person, by email, or on Slack. On the other hand, refrain from asking frequent, unscheduled questions, otherwise your employees will lose focus and waste a lot of time.