The Tuckman Model of Group Development

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The Tuckman Model of Group Development

• CJ 307/507--Small Group Communication

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Stages of Group Development
5
1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjourning
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Stages of Group Development
5
4
Stages of Group Development
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5
Forming
Key Theme Awareness

Group interactions are

• Cautious
• Guarded
• Polite
• Non-Committal
• Low in Productivity

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Forming
Key Issue Inclusion
Addressing the Issue of Inclusion

• Do I want to be part of this team?
• Will I be accepted as a member?
• What sacrifices must I make to belong to this
  team?
• Who is the leader?
• Is the leader competent?

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Forming
Ideal Task Outcome Commitment
Ideal Relationship Outcome Acceptance
Leaders Should

• Share relevant information
• Encourage open dialogue
• Provide structure
• Direct team issues
• Develop a climate of trust and respect

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Storming
Key Theme Conflict
This stage is Characterized by

• Strain
• Competition
• Disengagement
• Engagement
• High Energy
• Low Productivity

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Storming
Key IssueControl
Addressing the Issue of Control

• How will I seek my autonomy?
• How much control will I have over others?
• How much control will others try to have over me?
• Who do I support?
• Who supports me?
• How much influence do I have in this team?

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Storming
Ideal Task Outcome Clarification
Ideal Relationship Outcome Belonging
Leaders Should

• Engage members in joint problem solving.
• Establish norms for looking at different view
  points.
• Discuss decision-making procedures.
• Encourage two-way communication.
• Support collaborative team efforts.

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Norming
Key Theme Cooperation
This stage is characterized by

• Cohesiveness
• Openness
• Trust
• Appreciation of differences similarities
• Problem Solving
• Productivity Increases

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Norming
Key Issue Cohesion
Addressing the Issue of Cohesion

• What kind of relationships can we develop?
• Will we be successful as a team?
• How do we measure up to other teams?
• What is my relationship to the team leader?

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Norming
Ideal Task Outcome Involvement
Ideal Relationship Outcome Support
Leaders Should

• Talk openly about issues and concerns.
• Encourage members to manage team process.
• Give positive and constructive feedback.
• Support consensus decision-making efforts.
• Delegate to team members as much as possible.

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Performing
Key Theme Productivity
Teams are able to

• Define Tasks
• Manage Conflicts
• Accomplish Missions
• Make Decisions
• Solve Problems
• Exhibit High Productivity

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Performing
Ideal Task Outcome Achievement
Ideal Relationship Outcome Pride
Leaders Should

• Observe and provide feedback
• Reward and recognize
• Support new ideas and ways for achieving
  outcomes.
• Develop members to their fullest potential.
• Develop ways to increase team's capacity.

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Adjourning
Key Theme Separation
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Adjourning
Ideal Task Outcome Recognition
Ideal Relationship Outcome Satisfaction
Leaders Should

• Evaluate Provide Performance Feedback
• Review Task and Working Relationships
• Celebrate the Groups Accomplishments
• Conduct closure ceremony to specify the
  projects conclusion

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Vignette 11

• You are working with an old team on a new,
• very different project. The task is challenging,
• and creative problem solving will be critical.
  In past efforts of the team, there were few
  choices and very little flexibility. Some
  talents that team members have but have not used
  recently will be needed on this project. You are
  concerned about increasing the motivational level
  of the team in addition to getting the project
  completed in a superior fashion.

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Vignette 12

• Team members disagree about the importance of the
  current project and, therefore, the time needed
  to complete it. One group of team member sees
  the task as helpful but not essential to the
  organization. They want to finish it adequately
  but quickly. A second set of team members wants
  to complete the task comprehensively, with the
  high quality characteristic of past team
  performance. A third group is trying to develop
  a compromise. A few members have not expressed
  opinions and are attempting to stay out of the
  debate. You would like to resolve the matter and
  get the team to reach agreement or, at least,
  consensus. Your personal preference is for a
  quality effort.

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Vignette 13

• The team has recently resolved a volatile
  disagreement regarding the appropriate strategy
  to use in the implementation of a major goal.
  You want to move forward as quickly as possible.
  The group appears somewhat hesitant and continues
  to look to you for direction. Members appear
  capable of continuing the task but are concerned
  about how much time will be required. Some work
  has begun by individuals working independently
  and in pairs. Although you see some progress,
  you would like more of a unified effort.

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Vignette 14

• The team appears to be cohesive and unified
  regarding the current project. All members are
  competent to complete the task. The
  implementation and evaluation phase will be
  critical and will impact the total organization.
  Current goals are challenging but realistic. So
  far, quality standards have been maintained. You
  are eager to complete the project at this high
  level of performance.

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Vignette 15

• The team has just completed a major project.
  Although there were some difficulties getting
  started and some conflicts concerning the use of
  resources, compromises were used to move to
  completion. Each team member made a significant
  contribution, adding specific skills that were
  critical to the success of the project. The team
  views this accomplishment as a total team effort.
  However, all members of the team will not be
  needed for the next project, which is less
  complex. Some members will be assigned to other
  tasks. All assignments will be based on the
  skill requirements of the new projects.

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Quiz

• What are the 5 stages of the Tuckman Model?
• What are some characteristics found within each
  stage?
• What are some helpful things leaders can do to
  help the group progress and achieve the optimal
  task and relationship outcomes?
• T or F, the ideal relationship outcome for the
  forming stage is Acceptance.
• T or F, the ideal task outcome is clarification
  for Norming
• T or F, the theme of Norming is cooperation
• What stage of group development do you feel your
  particular team is at and why?