After reading the article “40 Years of Storming: A Historical Review of Tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development,” I reflected on my current job, which revolves heavily around teamwork and the ability to understand and support one another. Tuckman proposed a four-stage model for successful group development: forming, storming, norming, and performing.

My current team consists of six people, placing us in a small-group setting. Since I only started this job a few weeks ago, I believe we are currently in the forming stage. We are still learning how each team member works best and how to coordinate effectively. With many moving parts in this organization, it’s essential that everyone stays aligned. Right now, my colleagues are onboarding me with the various software programs and tools used for client management and daily operations. This process requires significant time and effort, as I am navigating new systems while also building relationships with new team members. At the same time, my team is figuring out how to include a new intern into their usual routines.

Over time, I have started to develop closer connections with both my coworkers and supervisors, gaining a better understanding of their personalities and work styles. I anticipate that as we continue working together, our team will progress through the stages of Tuckman’s model and become more cohesive and efficient.

I find Tuckman’s framework to be a valuable lens through which to view small-group dynamics. While the model offers important insights, there are aspects of modern teamwork that it doesn’t fully capture. As organizations evolve and new practices emerge, I believe this model will continue to adapt, reflecting the changing dynamics of team collaboration.

Bonebright, Denise A. “40 years of storming: A historical review of tuckman’s Model of Small Group Development.” Human Resource Development International, vol. 13, no. 1, Feb. 2010, pp. 111–120, https://doi.org/10.1080/13678861003589099.

After reading “How to link personal values with team values”, I was reminded of the article we read last week, “How to Live With Purpose, Identify Your Values and Improve Your Leadership”. These two articles complement each by highlighting the importance of identifying both personally and in the work space. Last week’s article focused on how to discover your values and put them into action to become a better leader. This week’s article built on that idea by emphasizing how aligning your identified values with your actions can serve as a guiding principle. Both articles stress that leading with values at the forefront is essential because it motivates employees and gives greater meaning to their work. This creates a positive and engaging company culture.

Another article that came to mind was “Top 10 Qualities that Make a Great Leader”, which highlighted communication, creativity, and honesty as key leadership traits. Similarly, this week’s article emphasized values such as communication, integrity, and creativity showing how these qualities consistently appear as core leadership values. Comparing just these two pieces demonstrates how much employees and people in general value certain traits in their leaders.

These articles also differ in their approach. This week’s article provides examples of large companies, such as Nordstrom and AT&T, engaging employees in discussions about values to better integrate them within teams and across the organization. It goes further by offering a step by step guide on how to conduct a values workshop, along with insights into the outcomes of these workshops. By presenting real world examples , the article highlights how companies can actively foster a culture that reflects their core values, rather than defining them in theory.

Overall, these three articles provide a comprehensive view of the role values play in effective leadership. Values are not just ideas, they are essential guiding principles that shape leadership, influence workplace behavior and create a meaningful environment for both leaders and their teams.

Loehr, Anne. “How to Live with Purpose, Identify Your Values and Improve Your Leadership.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017, www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-live-with-purpose_b_5187572.

Myers, Ted. “Forbes – Top 10 Qualities That Make a Great Leader.” LinkedIn, 9 Mar. 2018, www.linkedin.com/pulse/forbes-top-10-qualities-make-great-leader-tedson-myers-cpa-mba/.

Jaffe, Dennis T., and Cynthia D. Scott. “How to Link Personal Values with Team Values.” Training & Development, vol. 52, no. 3, Mar. 1998, pp. 24–30

While reading the article How to Live With Purpose, Identify Your Values and Improve Your Leadership, I was reminded of my current boss and the way he demonstrates leadership through his values. He leads with his values at the forefront, showing clarity in his goals while also ensuring his employees feel supported in achieving theirs. For example, in a recent meeting, he ended by asking whether I felt overwhelmed with the workload he had assigned for the week. This reflected his compassion and empathy, as he genuinely wants employees to feel comfortable sharing how they are doing.

He also places strong emphasis on honesty and open communication within the company. He often reminds us that our relationship is reciprocal and that leadership is not just about him giving directions, but about learning from one another. This mindset is what makes him a good leader in my eyes. He has become one of my favorite supervisors because he leads with both his heart and his mind. I know he has the best interests of his team in mind, which creates a stronger bond between his company.

The article says, “On a leadership level, when we align with our values on a daily basis, we have more energy and feel more fulfilled because we are leading from what’s important to us.” I believe my boss exemplifies this, as he is deeply committed to his work and the people he leads. After more than 40 years in the business, he continues to approach his role with passion and purpose, which inspires those of us who work alongside him.

Loehr, Anne. “How to Live with Purpose, Identify Your Values and Improve Your Leadership.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017, www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-live-with-purpose_b_5187572.

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