In which stage of the team life cycle are you when you first introduce team members and set expectations?

The stage where team members are first introduced, and expectations are set is called the Forming stage. During this initial phase, individuals come together to form a team, and it is characterized by the establishment of relationships and initial interactions among team members. Members are typically polite and may be somewhat reserved as they try to understand the team dynamics and their own roles within the group.

In the Forming stage, it is crucial for the team leader to clarify goals, outline roles, and set expectations, which helps to establish a foundation for the team’s future collaboration. This clarity allows team members to begin to integrate and can lead to more effective teamwork as they progress to subsequent stages.

As teams move out of the Forming stage into the Norming stage, members start to build stronger relationships and resolve conflicts. The Performing stage is where the team reaches optimal functioning, and the Storming stage is characterized by conflict and competition as team members begin to assert their personalities and roles. Understanding these stages is essential for effective team management and development.