W1.1_Ocharlie_Tuckman Assignment

Problem Identification, definition and evaluation

To determine which stage the Bistro12 team is presently using Tuchman`s model and applying the result to defining appropriate leadership style.

The model describes four team`s developmental phases.

Forming – This defines the early phase of the team formation whereby the leader literarily does much of the work and team members’ individual roles and responsibilities not clearly defined.

Storming-As team members begin to understand the tasks, individuals tend to be assertive and struggles within the group make it harder to take decision. The leader encounter`s challenges from members and cliques are formed 

Norming- At this stage roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and teamwork is encouraged. There is good commitment among members.  Decisions are reached by consensus and the leader is well respected.

Performing-This is the performing stage where the team carries out it`s activities with no interference from the leader. There is great awareness among the group as targets are met and bonding in relationships.

From the assignment given, the scores for each of the Tuckman`s phases is listed below;

23 Forming                        18 Storming                     25 Norming                           31Performing

From the scores, it shows that there is no clear indication that the team is in any developmental stage. The highest score 31 shows that the team worked together to achieve result. However there is great input from the leader in getting to where we are now.

There scores for the other three stages show little difference.

The characteristics above depict a stormy phase

Development of feasible alternatives

The Hersey Blanchard`s Situational Leadership model depicts four leadership styles a leader can switch between depending on situations and tasks- telling, selling, participating and delegating.

Development of outcome for each alternative

Telling – members are  completely dependent on the leader for direction

Selling- Leader defines task and communicates to members for action

Participating- Tasks are tabled and members collectively executes tasks with leader`s involvement

Delegating- Leader is detached with tasks being delegated to members  

Selection of criterion

The criteria for selection of appropriate leadership style are;

The challenge at hand

The situation

Analysis and comparison of alternatives

From the result above the team has attributes of all the stages of the Tuckman forming storming norming performing model. It requires application of all the leadership styles of the Hersey Blanchard`s situational leadership model to achieve result.

Selection of preferred alternative

The leadership style appropriate at this stage is a switch between telling, selling and participating.

Performance monitoring and evaluation

With the storming stage being described as volatile phase, it can be fairly deduced that the team is in Storming stage. Therefore active leadership role that switches between telling, selling, participating is required at this stage to bring members up to speed.

References        

Survey: What stage is your team in? Retrieved from http://www.cscaweb.org/EMS/

Tuckman forming storming norming performing model retrieved from http://www.businessballs.com/tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm

Citation of online source retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/