Tuckman’s Five-Stage Model, Essay Example

Tuckman’s Five-Stage Model of Group Development application

Characteristics of group development according to Tuckman’s (1965) Five-Stage Model include are forming, storming; norming; performing and other features adjourning/ transforming. In forming my group at work these stages were identified as the group changed into different phases. During the first phase we engaged in building relationships, which forged acceptance of one for the other. Next we recognized our differences and tried to clarify them in promoting cohesiveness (White, 2009).

Thirdly, it appeared as though mutual agreements regarding how interactions ought to be conducted emerged. This could be associated with the norming phase of our group formation. Many groups do not reach the performing stage as quickly moving through from forming to norming because it takes cooperative effort and blending of skills for this to be achieved. As such, it took us a while reaching the performance level. At times it appeared as though we had reverted to storming. Consequently, moving into the adjourning whereby we were expected to complete tasks and really build teams is still being undertaken (White, 2009).

Kolb’s model of Experiential Learning.

This model embraces four stages, which could be associated with forming ( concrete experiences clash), storming (reflective observations occur), norming (abstract conceptualizations are formed)  and performing (active experimentation  is taking place) as learning occurred within my group. Each stage was effectively reflected as we grew (Loo, 2002).

Self-management team experience

This was a small six member task force designed to report on the functioning of a failing family business. We stared out without a pan and knowing each other’s skill relevant to the task. However after one week we could not have agreed on a single strategy to offer a feedback. If we knew about the models discussed early within a few days we could have begun performing.

Recommended strategies for self- managed team

• Start with a theoretical model such as embodied in Tuckman’s Five-Stage Model of Group Development.
• Align task to scientific learning solutions encompassed in  Kolb’s model of Experiential Learning.

References

Loo, R. (2002).  A Meta-Analytic Examination of Kolb’s Learning Style Preferences Among

Business Majors. Journal of Education for Business, 77 (5); 252-256

White, A. (2009). From Comfort Zone to Performance Management. White & MacLean Publishing