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

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

Main question to answer:

• Who are you?

Benefits if resolved:

• Mutual regard
• Forthrightness
• Reliability

Problems if not resolved:

• Caution
• Mistrust
• Facade

 

3. 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

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

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

Main question to answer:

• Wow!

Benefits if resolved:

• Spontaneous interaction
• Synergy
• Surpassing results

Problems if not resolved:

• Overload
• Disharmony

 

7. Renewal

Main question to answer:

• Why Continue?

Benefits if resolved:

• Recognition and celebration
• Change mastery
• Staying power

Problems if not resolved:

• Boredom
• Burnout