W1_Jide_Tuckman Assessment

1.     Problem Recognition, Definition and Evaluation

I am trying to determine which of Tuckman’s Stages or Phases our team is in and use that to determine which LEADERSHIP STYLE is appropriate for me to be using.

According to Tuckman, there are four stages of Team Development. In order to determine in what stage a team is, 32 questions must be must be answered by each member of the team.

Table 1 Showing outcome of the 32 questions on Tuckman’s Team Formation stages.

Based on above table, the team is currently in the Forming stage, with the highest score of 32.

1.     Develop of  the Feasible Alternatives

The Feasible alternatives leadership styles to be adopted in this stage of team formation are:

a)     Autocratic

b)    Democratic

c)     Transactional

d)    Laissez-faire

2.     Develop the outcomes for each alternative

Based on the survey result, my team, BISTRO 12, is currently at the Forming stage. We have high spirit and enthusiasm. Subtly however, the minute details of how the team will function effectively is not yet clear, hence, anxiety can be felt within every member. The best leadership style to be adopted at this stage is Autocratic. With apparent lack of clear direction, this is the stage at which the team leader should make decisions as soon as possible, retain responsibilities and ‘tell’ the team members what to do.

3.     Selection of the acceptable criteria.

4.     Analysis and comparison of the alternatives

Autocratic leader makes decision and assumes responsibility within reasonable time without having to wait unduly for other members that lack clarity on what to do.

Democratic leader are characterized by lengthy decision making process because of the attitude to involve everyone in decision making. We are already running behind our plan, we cannot afford further delay arising from our decision making process.

Transactional leader is not ideal for now because it is based on motivating followers through a system of rewards (carrot) and punishments (stick). However, no punishment should be administered in a situation where clarity is lacking on details of requirements and it may be to early to give award based on exceptional performance.

Laissez-faire leader leaves team members to work on their own, this is not advised at this stage since the stage of mastery has not been reached yet.

5.     Select the preferred alternative

The preferred alternative is Autocratic leadership style during team’s forming stage.

6.       Performance Monitoring & Post Evaluation of Result

Teams performance would be would be tracked on weekly basis via SPI and CPI

Reference

        I.            Leadership Style and Team Development Stages

Retrieved from:

http://www.pmcomplete.com/BPM/HTML/bpm03hv.asp

      II.            Stages of Team Development

Retrieved from:

http://www.12manage.com/methods_tuckman_stages_team_development.html

    III.            Different leadership styles for different team development stages

Retrieved from:

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/2012/05/31/different-leadership-styles-for-different-team-development-stages/

    IV.            Leadership Styles ,Choosing the Right Style for the Situation

Retrieved from:

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm