What stage of team development consists of team members working harmoniously together, engaging in open communication, taking risks, and trusting each other to complete assigned tasks?

The stage of team development described is performing. In this stage, team members have established a strong sense of unity and collaboration. They are comfortable with each other's strengths and weaknesses and work together effectively toward common goals. Open communication is a hallmark of this stage, allowing team members to express ideas freely and engage in constructive discussions.

During performing, individuals are not only focused on their tasks but also support one another, promoting an environment of trust. This trust enables team members to take risks and innovate, contributing to high productivity and problem-solving capabilities. The clarity of roles and mutual accountability enhances teamwork, and the team is able to achieve high performance due to the cohesive nature of their interactions.

In contrast, the other stages of team development—forming, storming, and norming—represent earlier phases where the team is still establishing its dynamics. During forming, for example, members are just getting to know each other and may be hesitant to share. The storming phase is characterized by conflicts and competition as team members work through their differences. The norming stage is where the team begins to find a balance and develop cohesion, but it may not yet exhibit the same level of harmony and trust seen in the performing stage.