When teams transition into the performing stage, they have already gone through the forming, storming, and norming stages. At this point, they are ready to work together efficiently. Here’s why clarifying member roles and developing working relationships is crucial:
Role Clarity: In the performing stage, team members need a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This clarity ensures that everyone knows what is expected of them and how they contribute to the team’s success.
Effective Collaboration: Developing working relationships involves building trust, effective communication, and cooperation. Team members must collaborate seamlessly to achieve their objectives. Understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses helps in allocating tasks appropriately.
Conflict Resolution: As teams perform, conflicts may arise due to differing opinions or approaches. Clarifying roles and relationships allows team members to address conflicts constructively and find solutions.
Productivity: When roles are well-defined, team members can focus on their tasks without confusion. This leads to increased productivity and better outcomes.
Team Cohesion: Developing working relationships fosters a sense of unity within the team. Trust and mutual respect enhance cohesion, leading to better performance.
Options A, B, and D are also essential aspects of team dynamics, but they are more relevant during earlier stages (forming, storming, and norming). For example:
Managing Change (Option A): Teams need to learn how to adapt to changes during the forming and storming stages. However, by the performing stage, they should have already adjusted to the team’s dynamics.
Decision-Making (Option B): While decision-making is critical throughout a team’s life cycle, it is not specific to the performing stage. Teams should have established decision-making processes by this point.
Identifying Skills (Option D): Assessing team members’ skills and knowledge is essential during the forming and norming stages. By the performing stage, this information should already be known.
In summary, clarifying roles and developing working relationships are key factors for successful team performance. It ensures alignment, collaboration, and effective execution of tasks1.
References: 1 The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook, Fifth Edition. Sandra L. Furterer and Douglas C. Wood. ASQ Quality Press, 2021. Link
