The success of many modern corporations depends not only on good strategy and innovative products, but also on strong team collaboration. Each team member, with different skills, contributes to delivering the best results. However, to achieve this state, the process of team growth stages is very important. Developing and growing teams in the workplace is necessary to boost productivity, foster innovation, and enhance employee retention through better collaboration and skill building.

As companies evolve, their teams go through different phases of development that shape how members communicate, collaborate, and solve problems together. By recognizing these stages, leaders can anticipate challenges early and provide the proper guidance to strengthen team synergy. It not only improves productivity but also empowers employees to grow and contribute more meaningfully. Let’s explore each team’s growth stages that help unlock the workforce’s full potential.

What are the Factors that Influence Team Development?

There are several crucial factors influencing how your team grows and develops. These factors foster cohesion, adaptability, and sustained performance. 

• Shared Commitment: Aligns team members around common goals and purpose. It builds accountability through negotiated expectations, clear roles, and mutual support, turning individual efforts into team wins.
• Complementary Skills: Each team member, with diverse backgrounds and skills, complements the others. This sparks innovative solutions through varied perspectives, enhancing discussions and problem-solving.
• Open Communication: Enables idea-sharing, feedback, and discussions among members to minimize misunderstandings. It supports candid progress evaluation and healthy tension where team members hold each other accountable without being defensive.
• Psychological Safety: Psychological safety allows team members to voice ideas and concerns freely, moderated by trust and inclusive practices. It fosters creativity by reducing fear of reprisal, enabling open dialogue and risk-taking.
• Leadership: Strong leadership fosters team collaboration, trust, and empowerment, guiding teams toward shared outcomes. It drives knowledge-sharing, solidarity, and accountability within the team.
• Growth Orientation: Emphasizes continuous learning opportunities, feedback, and adaptability to keep the team resilient and innovative. 

How Many Stages of Growth Are There?

To understand how teams grow and work better together, it’s essential to look at the team development stages model. There are 5 stages of team growth. All stages of development in the team are designed to guide members toward stronger collaboration and performance:

Forming Stage

The first stage is the forming stage. Here, team members meet, feel uncertain about their roles, and rely on the leader for direction, even as productivity remains low. Leaders provide clarity on goals, structures, and expectations to build initial trust. This is also necessary to create a safe environment for team members to progress to the next stage. For example, the team may engage in “ice breakers” to get to know each other. This stage focuses on orientation rather than output.

Storming Stage

After forming foundational elements of the team, like goals and roles, the team moves to the storming stage. Team members start to question the team’s direction or decisions. They might also express concerns that might create conflict among members. Leaders should mediate disputes, re-establish goals, and encourage accountability to move forward. Team members should engage in healthy and appropriate conflict-resolution discussions. This stage tests the team’s resilience before solidarity emerges.

Norming Stage

After the storming stage, the team will enter the norming stage. Here, the team resolves differences, builds trust, shares leadership, and establishes norms. In this settled, peaceful stage, team members also evaluate team processes to improve productivity. Team members begin to accept constructive feedback as they better understand and trust their team members. Leaders delegate more, motivate, and prevent burnout while supporting autonomy—a sense of solidarity forms during this stage, which is essential for the team’s growth.

Performing Stage

In the performing stage, teams operate at peak efficiency. They focus on high-productivity goals with minimal leader intervention. Team members are more confident in their abilities and the team’s direction. They accept differences among themselves, roles are more flexible, and the team as a whole works more efficiently toward a common goal. They continue to grow and develop during the performing stage until the final stage. Here, the team may meet existing goals or set new ones.

Adjourning Stage

The final stage is the adjourning stage. In this stage, the team disbands as the goal or mission is achieved. Team members might feel sad, accomplished, or anxious about the team’s ending. As they deliver the results, they also evaluate progress and formally dissolve the team. Leaders facilitate closure, recognize efforts, and support the next steps. This stage emphasizes learning capture for future teams.

Build a Stronger Team in the Ideal Environment: Partner Now with Effist Suite Office

Understanding team growth stages is essential to building a strong and high-performing team. However, creating a stronger team requires a productive, comfortable work environment. A supportive workspace can significantly accelerate collaboration, communication, and overall team efficiency.

This is where Effist Suite Office provides a strategic advantage for growing businesses. We offer serviced office solutions with ready-to-use office spaces with complete equipment. Our facilities include an ergonomic workstation, high-speed internet, executive office equipment, meeting rooms in various sizes, a business lounge, a pantry, and secretarial and cleaning services. Our serviced office solutions allow your team to move in and work immediately without the hassle of setting up essential office space facilities. 

By eliminating operational distractions, businesses can focus entirely on nurturing team growth, improving performance, and scaling their business efficiently. For more information regarding our serviced office solutions, contact us through email contact@effist.com or visit “Book Tour“.

Written by
Muftia Parasati, S.S., Content Writer at Phincon, specializing in research-based and SEO-optimized content on business growth, workplace trends, and digital productivity topics. | Muftia LinkedIn Profile

Reviewed by
Erin Supriyanti, Center Manager at Effist, with over 10 years of experience in workspace operations, team management, and business support services. | Erin LinkedIn Profile

Editor: Trie Ayu Feminin & Irnadia Fardila