In project management, success is often narrowly attributed to well-defined goals, structured timelines, and efficient resource allocation. However, an often-overlooked factor is team chemistry—the intangible yet crucial element that determines whether a project soars or stumbles. A team’s ability to blend well can make all the difference in achieving project success.
Tuckman’s model of team development outlines five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. In the forming stage, team members come together with their skills and experiences. The storming phase often brings friction as roles and responsibilities are negotiated. The norming stage sees the team develop mutual respect and an understanding of workflows.
Once the chemistry is established, the team reaches the performing stage, where efficiency and synergy drive success. Finally, in the adjourning phase, the team dissolves after achieving its objectives. A project manager’s role is to facilitate this evolution smoothly, ensuring that team members are aligned, motivated, and working towards a common goal.
A perfect analogy of team chemistry at work was seen in the 2025 Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles played with remarkable unity, showcasing a level of synchronization that extended beyond individual talent compared to the Chiefs, who seemed to have placed all their focus on their talented quarterback Patrick Mahomes and only seemed to gel in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles’ style of play displayed consistent seamless communication, adaptability, and shared vision, typical of what happens when a team transitions from storming to performing.
Team chemistry is not only crucial in sports but also in high-stakes environments. One of the most famous examples is the Apollo 13 disaster, where teamwork proved to be the difference between life and death. When the spacecraft suffered a crippling failure, NASA’s engineers on the ground had to collaborate under immense pressure to develop a solution that would guide the astronauts safely back to Earth.
The success of NASA’s engineers was not due to individual genius alone but rather to their ability to work cohesively, trust each other’s expertise, and think creatively under pressure. Project teams should strive for this level of chemistry: seamless problem-solving, trust, and unwavering commitment to the mission.
Another example of great team chemistry is how Hope and Tamika Mezuwa, owners of Max and Sherry Restaurant, work together with their chefs and staff in giving clients a memorable dining experience, which includes surprise deliveries and social media glitz.
Many project managers work in matrix organizations, balancing multiple responsibilities with limited authority. When they are part of a team that has strong chemistry, motivation becomes self-sustaining, decreasing the need for constant supervision and intervention. A motivated team actively solves problems, innovates, and supports each other through challenges—qualities that characterize high-performing projects.
Building strong team chemistry requires intentional effort. The proverb, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” holds significant implications for projects too, and demands that project managers cultivate an environment of trust, encourage open communication, and ensure that each team member feels valued. Team-building activities, regular feedback loops, and a shared vision can help strengthen relationships.
Project success extends beyond strategic planning and technical expertise—it thrives on positive human connections. Having a great project manager, too, is not enough. Rather, it’s about how well the project team can work together from initiation to closure and final delivery.
About HEBO Consult
HEBO Consult is a leading training and consultancy firm specializing in project management and a variety of other disciplines. With operations in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi, HEBO Consult serves a wide range of professionals and organizations, helping them to achieve operational excellence and strategic objectives through expert-led training, consultancy and advisory services.
