Warning: array_merge() [function.array-merge]: Argument #1 is not an array in /home/coacht/public_html/wp-content/plugins/digg-this-button/digg-this.php on line 107

Teams are living breathing organisms – constantly changing and adapting. They progress in phases just like a child goes through development phases; from a toddler to an adolescent to an adult. In essence team coaches are excellent ‘course correctors.’ Like airplanes that fly off course 99% of the time, the pilot is however always constantly correcting. The same can be said for team leadership. A good high school or college coach recognizes where their team is and what the team requires at any given phase.

Ken Blanchard’s book, The One Minute Manager Builds High Performing Teams provides a great framework for studying ‘team.’ Blanchard gives a complete definition of the characteristics of ‘high performance teams’ and their subsequent stages of development. He also provides a welcome alternative to the classic yet clunky “Forming, Norming, Storming and Conforming” model of group dynamic.

Blanchard provides us with 4 stages of progression for teams: Orientation, Dissatisfaction, Integration and Production. Throughout the course of a singles season a team may move through all the stages, or the team may become stuck in any one of them. Teams may also move fluidly between the phases – forward and backward – depending on the leadership and on the challenges that they face.

Let’s look at Stage 2 – Dissatisfaction This is the ‘adolescent’ phase of the team. It can be challenging and wrought with conflict and confusion. It is a period of low confidence and high doubt. The biggest lesson here is that this is not ‘BAD’ but actually a necessary step that all great teams must navigate through. Have you heard the expression – “It is darkest right before the dawn”? Well keep this in mind when your team is in the dissatisfaction phase. Athletes will be competing for power, authority and attention so there will be an understandable dip in morale and commitment. They may be displeased with authority and eager to assume control and ownership. The group may fragment. Notice if you see ‘cliques’ forming.

During Stage 2, effective team leaders will need to clarify the big picture. Have a clear communication process so that your group can harness the power of their discrepancies and differences. Continue to get clear on who is responsible for what and demonstrate that you are steadfast when it comes to holding everyone accountable – including yourself! Open and honest conversations during this phase will lead to break-through in the future. If you trust this process your athletes will also.

When things are challenging continue to encourage, reassure and acknowledge each and every person. One very common pitfall in this stage is to avoid conflict – assuming that it will damage team cohesion. However the ‘dissatisfaction’ everyone experiences eventually becomes the catalyst for greatness in the future. It will take great patience for you to ‘hold’ the team’s frustrations. You’ll want to keep the oven door closed during this phase – a moderate temperature will allow the bread to rise … if its too hot the bread will burn, and if its too cold the bread will not rise.

Many of the best teams spend the greatest amount of time in this phase, mainly due to the presence of strong willed and assertive team members. You will be best served by finding effective and safe ways for allowing people to express themselves.