In the norming phase, what should a leader focus on?

In the norming phase of team development, it is essential for a leader to focus on enhancing processes and collaboration. This phase is characterized by team members starting to come together and develop stronger relationships while cementing their roles within the group. It is during this time that team members become more comfortable with one another, leading to increased cooperation and effective communication.

By enhancing processes and collaboration, a leader can facilitate a culture of support and teamwork, encouraging team members to share ideas and work together more efficiently. This focus helps to solidify the gains made during the forming and storming stages, advancing the team toward higher productivity and cohesion.

Fostering an environment where collaboration is prioritized also allows for the smoothing out of interpersonal dynamics, ensuring that the team is poised to address challenges collectively rather than individually. This approach ultimately helps to prepare the team for the subsequent phase, which is performing, where the focus shifts to achieving goals and maintaining high performance.