Forming then comes the storming.....
The new year has started and besties are made, teams are formed and the day to day normality kicks in. We focus on culture shock as an individual, however how do teams work together and what phases do they go through?
Your classes have started to settle in and you are a part of a team that is creating and developing curriculums that are full of freshness and excitement. However after a few weeks later the newness is wearing off and the next stage begins, the storming. What is storming and how do we get past it?
According to B. W. Tuckman (http://newdirectionsconsulting.com/leadership-engagement/blog-getting-past-the-storm-in-team-building-2/) the storming stage is the 'rough' stage that individuals begin to challenge each other and conflict can occur between team members. This can have a profound effect on how you view your decision to up and move countries and why you did this at all. (Read Juan's Culture Shock blog again, this can directly affect you personally).
How do you successfully get past this stage and get back on track to do what you are there for?
If you are the leader you need to accept and expect the storming stage, be strategic in forming your team and make a commitment from the beginning that all are a part of a team. All have to understand and accept that for them to move forward to the 'norming' stage that they have to work together, be adults, collaborate and compromise when there is disagreement.
There will be personalities that will clash, not agree and some who will not make it past this stage, regardless of what anyone does or says. These members need to question themselves as to why they are there (and believe me, leaders question your position if you cannot get past this stage but that's a whole other bottle of red wine).
On a positive note, the majority of the team will settle in, understand the strengths of others and begin to listen to opposing opinions. They will take on the ideas that although may not be their 'cup of tea' and will see the benefits. It is not just up to the leader to manage the storming stage, it is up to all the team to understand and react in a way that is in the best interests of their team and school community.
Every team will move back and forth between stages on certain issues but eventually the 'norming' and 'performing' stage comes along. This cycle will happen at the start of every year with the overturn of teachers in an international teaching setting and changing of teaching teams.
Forming and then the storming is normal and you are doing nothing wrong, accept it, focus on how to keep your commitment to the team and keep remembering why you moved countries. You wanted a new experience, a challenge.....so now you have one! Don't give up!!!
(I'm sure that anyone reading this in any industry can relate to this)
Comments and your own experiences (in any industry - expat or other) are most welcome.
Cheers,
HB
