Tool 1: Storms are good

Here is a summary of Bruce Tuckman’s group stages [1] and a video on how it has influenced the teams John works with.

Bruce Tuckman’s Group Stages is a widely recognised theory that describes the developmental stages that teams typically go through.

The 5 stages can be summarised as follows:

In the forming stage, team members come together and initially get acquainted. They are polite and cautious, seeking to establish their place in the team. There is a reliance on the leader for guidance and direction, and roles and responsibilities may not be clear.

As team members start to express their individuality, conflicts and disagreements may arise. This is the storming stage, characterised by power struggles, differences in opinions, and challenges in decision-making. Team members may vie for influence and push against the established norms.

In the norming stage, team members begin to find common ground and establish norms and expectations. Cohesion and trust start to develop as individuals understand their roles and responsibilities. Conflict reduces as the team works towards a shared vision and collaborative decision-making.

The performing stage is characterised by a high level of productivity and interdependence. The team is focused, motivated, and able to work together efficiently. Roles are well-defined, and the team operates smoothly, leveraging each member’s strengths to achieve goals.

In some variations of the model, Tuckman added the adjourning stage, which signifies the disbanding or completion of the team. This stage involves reflection on achievements, celebrating successes, and bidding farewell as team members transition to new endeavours.

Here are three important points to note:

Firstly, all teams will progress through these stages.
Secondly, not all teams progress through these stages at the same pace, and they may revisit certain stages as circumstances change.
Thirdly, ‘healthy’ storming is necessary otherwise the team will not progress to the next stage.

Understanding these stages helps leaders and team members anticipate challenges, foster collaboration, and guide the team towards higher levels of performance and effectiveness.

Watch the below video to hear how these group stages have influenced John’s leadership.

Cultural Context: In Chinese culture, honour and shame strongly shape relationships.
Tuckman’s Model Insight: Storming is inevitable in teams, especially when pursuing Kingdom expansion and searching for the best outcomes.
Purpose of Storming: It’s a refining process—pruning, sifting, and sharpening key insights and decisions.
Healthy Approach: Breakthrough comes when storming is not taken personally, but embraced for growth.
Personal Impact: Understanding Tuckman helped move beyond superficial “peacekeeping” and enabled deeper, more effective team participation.

Tuckman, B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63(6), 384-399. doi: 10.1037/h0022100.

Tool 1: Storms are good

Bruce Tuckman’s Group Stages is a widely recognised theory that describes the developmental stages that teams typically go through.

The 5 stages can be summarised as follows:

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

Adjourning (or Mourning)

Watch the below video to hear how these group stages have influenced John’s leadership.

Video Summary