Battling with Business Podcast

In this week’s episode we revisit one of our most popular discussions from August 2024 and explore Bruce Tuckman’s model of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. We discuss why high performing teams do not appear by accident and how the journey from uncertainty to trust is often messy, uncomfortable and full of friction. Drawing on experiences from both military operations and commercial product teams, we explore how teams build relationships, develop confidence and learn to work through disagreement to achieve meaningful results. A strong team is not one that avoids conflict. It is one that understands how to turn disagreement into progress. We examine why the storming phase is often the most important stage of development, how leaders can recognise where their teams are, and why shared experiences create the trust needed for long term success. We also explore the often overlooked concept of adjourning and why teams need time to reflect, celebrate achievements and reset before taking on the next challenge. Whether you lead a team, work within one, or are simply interested in leadership and management, this episode provides a practical framework for understanding team dynamics. If you have ever wondered why some teams click while others struggle, or how to help a group move from frustration to performance, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.