Theme 3 - Teams

Why Do Group Dynamics Change?

It is useful to understand the normal processes that occur as groups form, because the members must get to know each other before the group can enter a more productive phase. The stages most commonly referred to come from the Tuckman Model which was developed in the 1960s. These stages are forming; storming; norming, and performing. Depending on the make-up or responsibilities of the group, it may move through the stages at different speeds.

Forming:

• Members get to know each other
• Members explore what is acceptable group behaviour
• The group explores the task and what needs to be done
• There are often high levels of excitement, but little will be accomplished. This is normal for new groups

Storming:

• There may be a little, or a lot of tension at this point
• Members may have their own agendas, their own ways of seeing the actions that should be taken and little regard for the opinion of others
• Members may feel emotional, either angry or disheartened at the groups actions and membership
• Members begin to understand each other, but may still accomplish little

Norming

• Group members are becoming a team
• There is more acceptance of the team rules, other team members and team objectives
• There is less conflict, and more cohesion and team spirit
• The cohesion of the group allows the team to begin to make progress towards achieving goals

Performing

• Group members accept each other’s strengths and weaknesses
• Individual members will grow and change
• The group starts to work very efficiently towards goals
• There is a feeling of attachment and interdependence between group members

Tuckman later added the stage ‘adjourning’ to his model, to reflect the need for some groups to wind up activities and disband

References
Tuckman, B.W. "Developmental Sequence in Small Groups," Psychological Bulletin, vol. 63, 1965, pp. 384-399.
Tuckman, B. & Jensen, M. (1977) Stages of Small Group Development. Group and Organizational Studies, 2, 419-427.

Donald Clark’s Big Dog Leadership Training and Development site has a teamwork questionnaire for you to decide which stage your group is at.

This University of Canberra site talks about several theories of group formation.