Leadership and Stages of Team Development

Recently I was introduced to Tuckman's Model and, because its not everyday that I learn something new, this was exciting. It really registered with me because I was at the time Forming a new group; meeting new people who I'll have to work with in order to complete a task. Yay! (And incidentally I don't mean that sarcastically or ironically.) I like the concept of not having to complete a task on my own, I like the concept of getting multiple ideas that I didn't have to come up with on my own and I like the concept of completed tasks.

So my autocratic inclinations aside, in this modern western world a successful group tends to be ruled by such lofty principles as "the democratic process". This brings me to brain-Storming ideas; just throwing all the ideas that each person comes up with in a pool and swirling around the equally weighted opinions/options/ideas. Then we ponder over pool and the popular vote wins (is it too soon to make that reference? because man did this not work out for my team! Hello electoral college!)

Fortunately I think flexibility is a most important skill in groups. I'm now trying a thing called Norming through passivity. Essentially I'm observing personalities and aggressively avoiding conflicts through silence and obedience. I'm going to be that person everyone (read: no one) wants in a group, that silent one who just does what they're told.

High hopes that this will lead to our group Performing exceptionally well at the task then Adjourning with a new understanding of what it means to develop and work as a group.
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In any case today while living my best millennial life, I came across the following video (without even searching for it, its like the universe wanted to reinforce these concepts for me) that only slightly better explained Tuckman's Stages of Team Development. 

And It worked out fine for this guy so I'm very optimistic about my chances.

Quick side note: It is most important to establish group roles and rules early on so that cohesiveness and task completion are prioritized.

You are the One on a Plane that Crashed

When I think of leadership theory I think I would describe myself as an autocrat. I do not enjoy sharing responsibility or being delegated to. I have been known to say "there is no I in team but there is a Me". The universe, of course, does not care about my leadership style and though I do not join teams wherein I cannot wrest away power -- the universe often sees fit to institute me as a cog in machines.

Do you know what it is like to be a task-oriented person in a people-oriented group? All that

sharing and feelings and opinions and not as much actual work? Its frustrating.
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Recently I was asked to give my opinion -- never ask for my opinion -- on a presentation by Alvin Day.

The contrarian within me simply would not sit still and so I had to eschew his philosophy self-love ≠ selfish. My myopic argument was that the relationships I make are more valuable than the potential help that I could give to strangers. My argument was that I value the lives of my loved ones not as much as I value my own, but more. My argument was that my opinion is valid as soon as it is soundly defended whether you are in agreement or not.
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You know if indeed that plane had crashed and I had happened to be on it without any vulnerable creatures beside me I may well have lived. So off my brain went in imagining my own "Lost" premier episode. Before I get off  that plane I'm scavenging: a rucksack stuffed with bottled water, first aid kit, sensible clothes, swim cap, torch, rope, blanket, food, knife, and a radio/phone. You know, the essentials.

Jokes aside (yes those were jokes) I rather like the idea of being proved wrong.
The idea that people-y people can also make productive groups...

Internet In Moderation

Today we'll discuss some of the pitfalls of Social Media.  In the previous post there I encouraged the use of the Internet and all its resources for getting your business and products out there.  In this post I guard against getting so wrapped up in the Inter-webs that you begin to forget and overlook people.


Our featured video is "I Just Texted to Say I Love You" by Elliott Yamin.  The title really does say it all!


When people begin to fully exploit the Internet and join the social communities online our "tech obsessed culture does everything possible to avoid face-to-face interaction". 


If you are a disciplined, organized person you will ensure that time spent on the internet is balanced with time spent being active and making human contact.  If you are like me then here are some proven pointers to 


Help You Moderate the Time Spent Online:

• Be honest; look at how your time is spent and evaluate whether you need to limit your Internet usage
• Prioritize your time; set reasonable limit on how much time you want to spend online
• Write lists; know what needs to be done online and do them before you get distracted
• Stick to your time limits!

The fact is that you are going to have to make the changes yourself and no one can control your time for you.  A very good software that can help you keep track of your time spent online is RescueTime.  Spot inefficiencies in your day and become better at self managing by signing up for free to take ensure everything you do is in moderation. 

...withShantelleS