What is a critical action during the STORMING phase of team development?

The critical action during the STORMING phase of team development is to reduce time spent in this phase. The STORMING phase is characterized by conflict and competition as team members begin to express their individual opinions, which can lead to misunderstandings and tension within the group. It is important to navigate this phase efficiently to establish a functional and cohesive team.

Reducing the time spent in STORMING helps the team move quickly toward establishing a clear direction and unity. By addressing conflicts and misunderstandings promptly, team members can efficiently work through their differences and establish better communication and collaboration. This proactive approach is essential to ensuring that the team does not linger in conflict, which could hinder progress and productivity.

In contrast, while establishing norms, encouraging shared leadership, and identifying leadership roles can be important actions in other phases of team development, their primary focus is more relevant to the NORMING phase. During STORMING, the primary goal is to resolve conflicts and streamline processes to enhance cooperation among team members, making reducing time spent in STORMING pivotal for moving the team forward effectively.