6 Levels of Team Development Through Spiral Dynamics: A Growth Roadmap
Aleksei Groshenko
Leadership Coach & Soft Skills Trainer for Managers | PCC ICF | MA in Psychology | 20+ Years Empowering 18,000 Employees & 5,000 Managers | Empowering Managers with Accessible Leadership Solutions ??
What Is Spiral Dynamics?
Spiral Dynamics (SD) is a developmental model that maps how individuals, organizations, and societies evolve. It describes eight progressive levels, each with its own values, mindset, decision-making style, needs, and tools.
Key principles of Spiral Dynamics: - Development is sequential—each level builds on the previous one. - Experience accumulates, shaping thinking and leadership styles. - Growth follows a natural progression—like building floors in a house. If a lower level is unstable, higher levels cannot fully develop.
The Structure of Spiral Dynamics
"I-Levels" (Left Side) – Individual focus, action-oriented, faster-moving, masculine energy "We-Levels" (Right Side) – Collective focus, stabilizing, slow but deep transformation, feminine energy
Additionally, SD levels are grouped into three broad phases:
?? Pre-Rational (Levels 1-3): Instincts, emotions, and intuition dominate decision-making.
?? Rational (Levels 4-5): Logic, knowledge, and structure guide thinking.
?? Post-Rational (Levels 6-8): A balance of rational thought and emotional intelligence leads to systemic and integrative thinking.
?? To reach Level 7 (Yellow - Integration), one must fully experience and integrate all six previous levels.
Assess Your Team’s Development Level
Each team operates at a different Spiral Dynamics level. Evaluate your team’s current stage on a scale from 0 to 10 to see where growth is needed.
?? Level 1 - Beige (Survival Mode)
Question: How well are your team members' basic needs (safety, stability, and well-being) met?
?? 10/10 Team: Team members feel completely secure, both physically and emotionally. Their financial stability, work-life balance, and psychological safety are strong. ?? 0/10 Team: The team operates in survival mode—people feel unsafe, unstable, and uncertain about their future. There is no energy for growth, only reaction to immediate stressors.
?? Level 2 - Purple (Close Relationships & Traditions)
Question: Does your team have a strong sense of belonging, trust, and shared values?
?? 10/10 Team: People feel deep trust and support within the team. They see each other as "their people," share traditions, and genuinely care for one another. ?? 0/10 Team: The team lacks unity—people feel isolated, distrustful, and disconnected. There are no shared values or traditions, and relationships are purely transactional.
?? Level 3 - Red (Inner Power & Independence)
Question: How confident and empowered are your team members to take action and stand up for themselves?
?? 10/10 Team: Everyone feels strong, ambitious, and capable of achieving their goals. People set clear boundaries, take initiative, and push forward with confidence. ?? 0/10 Team: The team lacks personal ownership—members feel powerless, stuck in a victim mentality, or overly dependent on external decisions. There is no drive or ambition.
?? Level 4 - Blue (System & Structure)
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Question: How well-organized, disciplined, and structured is your team?
?? 10/10 Team: The team has clear goals, defined roles, and structured processes. Everyone understands their responsibilities, follows through on commitments, and values order. ?? 0/10 Team: Chaos rules—there are no clear processes, goals change frequently, and people act based on personal interests rather than shared agreements.
?? Level 5 - Orange (Innovation & Success)
Question: How proactive, creative, and success-driven is your team?
?? 10/10 Team: The team thrives on innovation, continuous improvement, and personal growth. People take ownership of their achievements and constantly seek better ways of doing things. ?? 0/10 Team: The team lacks ambition, creativity, and drive. There is no desire to improve, innovate, or grow—people do the bare minimum to get by.
?? Level 6 - Green (Community & Mission)
Question: How mission-driven and people-centered is your team?
?? 10/10 Team: The team is deeply connected to a shared mission and values. People support each other emotionally, embrace differences, and work toward meaningful impact. ?? 0/10 Team: There is no shared purpose or emotional connection. People feel isolated, decisions are made purely based on logic, and relationships lack depth.
How to Strengthen Your Team’s Development?
?? If your team struggles at a certain level, reinforce the lower levels first. Growth is sequential—just like in personal development, skipping steps creates gaps and weaknesses.
?? Teams at higher levels can still benefit from strengthening earlier foundations. A strong balance of structure, ambition, collaboration, and adaptability leads to sustainable success.
Want to Explore Your Team’s Growth Potential?
Let’s connect for a free consultation and analyze where your team stands today.
?? Which level best describes your team? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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