Tuckman's Stages
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing (and Adjourning).
Explanation
Psychologist Bruce Tuckman identified four predictable stages every team goes through. Forming is the honeymoon period where everyone's polite but unclear about roles. Storming brings conflict and competition as people assert themselves. Norming establishes agreements and working relationships. Performing is when the team hits its stride. Most teams either get stuck in conflict or fake harmony to avoid difficult conversations.
Real-World Example
New team seems great (forming). Month 2: Arguments about everything (storming). Leader panics. But this is normal and necessary. Push through with clear norms. Month 3: Real alignment (norming). Month 6: Magic happens (performing). Teams that skip storming never truly perform.
How to Apply
Name the stage openly: 'We're in storming—this is normal.' Forming: Clarify purpose and roles. Storming: Don't avoid conflict, facilitate it. Create norms together. Norming: Document agreements. Maintain momentum. Performing: Protect the magic. Limit changes. When members change, you restart.