Stages of group formation

five stages of how to form a better group

1. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.
Group formation stagesGroup formation stages
FigureFigure
© PhotoDisc
Forming Storming NormingPerformingAdjourning

3. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.
Group development stagesGroup development stages
•Groups members try to set Groups members try to set
rules for group behaviorsrules for group behaviors
•Individuals start to find Individuals start to find
out about each other. out about each other.
•Guidance is needed from Guidance is needed from
the leader. the leader.
Forming
Forming

4. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.
Group development stagesGroup development stages
Elements of the Forming Elements of the Forming
StageStage：：
•Focus on similarities and Focus on similarities and
differences. differences.
•Confusion/anxiety. Confusion/anxiety.
•Issues of inclusion, Issues of inclusion,
leadership, developing leadership, developing
trust.trust.
•Open communication is a Open communication is a
must.must.
Forming
Forming

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Group development stagesGroup development stages
•A conflict stage where A conflict stage where
members bargain with members bargain with
each other. each other.
•Individuals reveal their Individuals reveal their
personal goals and personal goals and
may resist the control may resist the control
of others.of others.
Forming
Forming
Storming
Storming

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Group development stagesGroup development stages
•Elements of the Elements of the
Storming Stage: Storming Stage:
•Strained relationships Strained relationships
•Tension and disunity.Tension and disunity.
•Issues of support vs. Issues of support vs.
competition, influence, and competition, influence, and
decision-making.decision-making.
Forming
Forming
Storming
Storming

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•Group members are
developing ways of
working together.
•They agree on the
shared goals.
Forming
Storming
Norming
© PhotoDisc
Group development stagesGroup development stages

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•ElementsElements of the
Norming Stage:
•More collaboration.
•Emerging trust.
•Appreciation
•strengthening
relationships
•open communication,
positive/constructive
feedback.
Forming
Storming
Norming
© PhotoDisc
Group development stagesGroup development stages

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•As leader, you can
delegate much of your
work, and you can
concentrate on developing
team members.
•It feels easy to be part of
the team at this stage, and
people who join or leave
won't disrupt performance.
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
© PhotoDisc
Group development stagesGroup development stages

10. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.
•ElementsElements of the Performing
Stage:
•Harmony.
•Problem-solving.
•Shared and participative
leadership.
•
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
© PhotoDisc
Group development stagesGroup development stages

11. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.
•The group ends. The group
terminates because the task has
been achieved
•Team members who have
developed close working
relationships with colleagues, may
find this stage difficult,
particularly if their future now
looks uncertain.
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
© PhotoDisc
Group development stagesGroup development stages
Adjourning

12. Copyright © 2002 by Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.