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I found a small book at an airport recently called “The Decision Book: Fifty models for strategic thinking”. It’s a nice easy read and a good thought provoker, and one of the models in particular really spoke to me.

The Drexler/Sibbet model covers how to turn a group into a team. It specifies 7 distinct stages that a team will generally go though, and the unique issues that can arise at each stage.

1. Orientation

Orientation

Main question to answer:

  • Why am I here?

Benefits if resolved:

  • Purpose
  • Team identity
  • Membership

Problems if not resolved:

  • Disorientation
  • Uncertainty
  • Fear

 

2. Trust Building

Trust Building

Main question to answer:

  • Who are you?

Benefits if resolved:

  • Mutual regard
  • Forthrightness
  • Reliability

Problems if not resolved:

  • Caution
  • Mistrust
  • Facade

 

3. Goal Clarification

Goal clarification

Main question to answer:

  • What are we doing?

Benefits if resolved:

  • Explicit assumptions
  • Clear, integrated goals
  • Shared vision

Problems if not resolved:

  • Apathy
  • Scepticism
  • Irrelevant competition

 

4. Commitment

Commitment

Main question to answer:

  • How will we do it?

Benefits if resolved:

  • Assigned roles
  • Allocated resources
  • Decisions made

Problems if not resolved:

  • Dependence
  • Resistance

 

5. Implementation

Implementation

Main question to answer:

  • Who does what, where, when?

Benefits if resolved:

  • Clear processes
  • Alignment
  • Disciplined execution

Problems if not resolved:

  • Conflict/confusion
  • Non-alignment
  • Missed deadlines

 

6. High Performance

High performance

Main question to answer:

  • Wow!

Benefits if resolved:

  • Spontaneous interaction
  • Synergy
  • Surpassing results

Problems if not resolved:

  • Overload
  • Disharmony

 

7. Renewal

Staying power

Main question to answer:

  • Why Continue?

Benefits if resolved:

  • Recognition and celebration
  • Change mastery
  • Staying power

Problems if not resolved:

  • Boredom
  • Burnout