Description

In 1965, psychologist Bruce Tuckman described how teams move through stages of team maturity, which he christened "forming, storming, norming, and performing".

In this episode, Andrew and Mark delve into the intricacies of Bruce Tuckman's famous team development model. They discuss its origins, practical applications, limitations, and the impact on modern team dynamics. 

We explore Tuckman's background, the history of the model and the paper that introduced it, modern criticism of the model and its relevance in today's organisational contexts. 

In this episode we talk about:

• An introduction to the Tuckman Model: An overview of the forming, storming, norming, and performing stages, highlighting its widespread use and common misconceptions.
• The origins of the Tuckman Model: Tracing the roots of Tuckman's research, its methodological background, and the historical context of its development.
• Insights from "Developmental Sequence in Small Groups": Analysing Tuckman's original paper, its focus, and the critical reception it received.
• A tour through Tuckman's Stages: An exploration of each stage in the Tuckman model, discussing the dynamics and challenges at each phase.
• Critiques and Practical Limitations: Examining how the Tuckman model is applied in real-world settings, its limitations, and misinterpretations in organisational psychology.
• Rethinking Tuckman's Behaviours: Considering Tuckman's stages as continuous behaviours rather than a linear process.
• Teamwork as an Ongoing Process: Emphasising the continuous nature of teamwork and the importance of conflict and collaboration.

Chapters
[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:01:30] Origins of the Tuckman Model
[00:03:04] Tuckman's Background and Influence
[00:08:39] Analysis of Tuckman's paper, "Developmental Sequence in Small Groups"
[00:12:50] Critiques of the Tuckman Model
[00:17:54] The Stages of the Tuckman Model
[00:18:39] The Forming Stage
[00:22:45] Impact of Group Dynamics on the Tuckman Model
[00:31:04] Alternative View of Tuckman's Behaviors
[00:32:33] The Importance of Teamwork as an Ongoing Process
[00:37:01] The Norming Phase in Tuckman's Model
[00:41:06] Transition from Norming to Performing
[00:45:49] The Performing Stage and Leadership Flexibility
[00:52:18] The Adjourning Stage: Reflection and Celebration
[00:55:19] Final Thoughts on Tuckman's Model

Thanks for listening!

Music by Tom Farrington