SESSION FOUR: TEAM NORMS

Everywhere we go, there are norms that are present. The fact that we stand aside so that people can get off the elevator is a norm. What other kinds of norms do you follow?

In this session, you’ll consider what norms, rules, or guidelines are in place with the teams that you work on.

About Team Norms

All teams, whether they know it or not, have norms, rules, or guidelines that guide the behavior of team members. In most cases they are not written down: they are simply understood because that’s the way the team always operates.

For example, if the group always starts ten minutes late, team members will adjust their behavior to start ten minutes late. If someone has their reports ready ahead of time and e-mails it to the grateful minute taker, others will follow suit.

Norms can be positive and thus help the team be an effective organization. For example, all team members show up on time for team meetings. Norms can also be counterproductive, such as when excessive joking and side conversations prevent a meeting from being productive.

Some teams spend time establishing a set of norms or ground rules before they begin their work.