OBSERVING TEAM NORMS

This tool is useful in observing team norms. 

Objective. Norms define the rules for appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Although team members often follow norms, most teams do not develop a formal set of norms. Teams may have norms for a variety of issues. Norms may be enforced by official sanctions (e.g., a fine for a violation) or by informal pressure from the leader or team members.

 

Activity. Observe a team meeting or a group discussion of the Team Leader Challenge. Note the norms being used to make decisions, manage participation, and encourage conversational etiquette. For example, does the team use voting to make decisions? Is everyone required to participate before a decision is made? Are there rules to prevent people from interrupting each other?

 

An alternative norms activity is to have four-person groups play a card game. After playing for one-half hour, they should identify the formal and informal norms that are operating.

 

Analysis. After developing a set of norms that the team is using, note how well the team follows them. Do the team members consistently follow norms? Are there examples of people violating norms? How does the team respond to violations?

 

Discussion. Does the team you observed have effective norms? Are the norms explicit or implicit? If you were asked to provide advice to the team, would you recommend that it develop formal norms? What norms do you think the team should formally adopt? Why?