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Collaboration is a word that belongs in the same "warm fuzzy feelings" list as love, peace, and healthy eating. The decision to collaborate on a project instantly creates visions of heightened creativity, enlightened cooperation, and stunning results. The phrase "Let's collaborate on this" does not magically lead to a successful outcome, however. The Chicago Cubs prove that just because a group of highly talented people gets together in a team does not mean it can perform well.
Most effective groups, teams, or committees go through four separate stages before achieving effective collaboration. In 1965, psychologist Bruce Tuckman coined an unforgettable mnemonic for this process: forming, storming, norming, and performing. Groups must progress through the first three stages of development to successfully achieve stage four. Whether you are a group leader or simply a participant, your awareness of these four essential stages of tasks and expectations will help propel your collaborative efforts from an "oh well, maybe next season" experience to a successful venture with fabulous results.
FORMING is the first stage of group development. This is an orientation stage that can be compared to a first date. On a first date, relationships are polite and reserved. You are trying to get to know each other, trying to decide if this is a relationship you want to continue. Caution, confusion, and courtesy are dominant.
Members of your newly formed committee must also get to know each other. Together you must decide on the purpose and structure of the group and your roles within that structure. Some questions you might ask during this time include, "Who are these other people? What is expected of me? Who is going to lead? What is supposed to happen?" Even if you have worked together with other group members for years, forming a new team requires this orientation period to establish goals and procedures.
This forming stage is not the time to expect free and open discussions or to create a consensus. In the beginning, fostering trust, encouraging relationship building, and clarifying purposes and expectations take precedence over making decisions or taking action.
If you are a committee chair, you play a very important role during this period. Group members will more likely interact directly with you rather than with other...