Norms and Rules in Teams

Norms are sets of shared beliefs about how people should behave. Teams and other types of groups develop norms to indicate adequate ways of interacting. Norms create expectations, set standards, and reflect the collective value of the team members. Once formed, norms are not easily changed. Teams can create norms through discussions among team members. Usually, during the forming phase of team development members will have conversations about standards of Behavior for the group. By doing so, teams can identify and develop norms that support their team work and productivity.

Both establishing and maintaining norms are a sign of a team’s maturity, made possible only when members have developed working relationships. Effective norms can develop on their own, especially if team members have earlier experience of working on successful teams. Nevertheless, without overt direction dysfunctional norms such as dislike to new ideas or conflict avoidance may take hold.

Norms vs. Rules

Norms are different from rules. Rules require or forbid Behavior and are typically issued by someone with the authority to direct others to comply and to place sanctions if they do not. People might agree or disagree with a rule, but they generally are not free to ignore them. On the contrary, norms are sets of expectations, not edicts. Team members themselves agree upon and strengthen norms through how they behave with each other. The clearer and more open the norms, especially if they are written down, the more efficient they are at influencing team members’ Behavior.

Benefits of Norms

Through the process of developing shared norms of Behavior, team members begin to hold each other responsible for how they add to the team. By pointing out when someone breaches a norm, the team helps keep its performance on track.

To the degree that team members can depend on norms to shape Behavior, the team may experience less uncertainty and more effectiveness in how work gets done. For example, a norm about what comprises of timely completion of tasks may help focus individual efforts. Because people act in relation with norms, their Behavior can become predictable and provide stability to the team.