How's the Weather?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “climate matters” when it comes to workplace culture. But when you’re leading a new team, or bringing change to an existing one, it’s not just about the long-term climate. It’s also about checking the daily forecast.

Building a high-performing team doesn’t happen in one sunny day. It’s more like living through seasons, each with its own unpredictability, pressure systems, and breakthroughs.

Enter the classic stages of team development:Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing.Let’s take a look at what the weather looks like in each phase, how to spot it, and what you, as a Self-Aware Leader, can do to navigate it.

Forming: The Sunny Forecast With a Chance of Awkward

This is the honeymoon phase. Everyone’s polite, overly agreeable, and perhaps slightly unsure. There's excitement in the air, but also hesitation. People are figuring out where they fit, what the expectations are, and how safe it is to speak up.

Self-Aware Leader Forecast Tip:

• Clarify your vision, values, and norms early.

• Be warm, consistent, and available.

• Encourage connection and curiosity over performance.

• Normalize that awkwardness is part of starting strong.

Storming: Cloudy with Conflict on the Horizon

Enter: turbulence. This is where friction surfaces, whether through misaligned expectations, clashing personalities, or unspoken resentments. This stage is not a failure. It’s a sign that the team is becoming real.

Self-Aware Leader Forecast Tip:

• Don’t panic. This is necessary.

• Lean into courageous conversations.

• Offer clarity, not control.

• Anchor in shared purpose when tensions rise.

• Model emotional regulation, active listening, and accountability.

Norming: Partial Sun, Patterns Emerging

The dust begins to settle. People start adapting to each other’s rhythms, strengths, and quirks. Norms become co-created rather than imposed. The group moves from “me” to “we.”

Self-Aware Leader Forecast Tip:

• Reinforce what’s working. Celebrate small wins.

• Invite reflection: What’s helping us thrive?

• Clarify roles and responsibilities to reduce confusion.

• Offer coaching moments to build shared ownership.

Performing: Clear Skies, High Momentum

Here comes the magic. Teams in this stage operate with mutual trust, high autonomy, and shared goals. Challenges still arise, but they’re handled with skill and shared responsibility.

Self-Aware Leader Forecast Tip:

• Keep the team aligned with vision and values.

• Step back where possible - your job shifts to removing barriers, not managing tasks.

• Foster ongoing development and psychological safety.

• Check the emotional “weather” often - complacency or burnout can sneak in.

Bonus: Watch for Weather Warnings

Even high-performing teams will cycle back through earlier stages, especially during staff changes, leadership shifts, or external pressure. The “weather” isn’t linear, it moves. Your job isn’t to force sunshine but to read the sky and respond wisely.

Final Forecast for Self-Aware Leaders

Change isn’t easy, and neither is leadership. If your team is in a storm, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means you’re growing. Great leaders don’t chase constant sunshine; they build teams that can thrive in all kinds of weather.

Reflection Questions for Self-Aware Leaders:

• What stage is your team in right now? What are the signs?

• What’s one thing you can do this week to support your team’s weather?

• Are you modeling the mindset you hope your team adopts?

YOU MATTER!