Project Management

suggest adjusting your style to meet the demands of each stage
described above:

Forming: In this stage, your team is generally looking to you to
provide information, organization, structure, and context.
Accordingly, you adopt more of a structuring/directing style.
Make sure everyone understands the project, your expectations
of them, the procedures to be followed, and so forth.

Storming: Conflicts tend to be greatest in the storming stage.
You cannot direct the team through this period and you cannot
ignore the conflict as it surfaces. To do so would threaten your
ability to lead your team into the next stage and you may
remain mired in conflict. A guiding/coaching style is best during
this stage, as you take the necessary time to address the team’s
questions, concerns, and sometimes their challenges of your
course of action. Be sure to explain your decisions during this
difficult period.

Norming: In the norming stage, your direct involvement begins
to diminish considerably as team members chart their course
by laying out their work. You should encourage them to partici-
pate more actively as you adopt more of a supporting/encour-
aging style. Get them to take ownership for their part of the
project. Without this feeling of ownership, it may be difficult to
advance to the next stage.

Performing: This is a great stage for you as project manager.
Your role becomes less stressful. You assign basic responsibili-
ties and let team members play a leading role in determining

Building and Maintaining an Effective Team 87

Don’t Be a Task Master

During the forming stage, some project managers are anx-

ious to get off to a good start by having everyone “roll up

their sleeves and get to work.” This approach can be dangerous—espe-

cially for teams that may need to work together for an extended period

of time—since it ignores the social aspects of team evolution. Some

people need time to get to know one another and become comfortable

interacting. If you don’t provide this opportunity, communication may be

stifled, thus decreasing the team’s effectiveness.