Phase:

Characteristic Behaviors:

How to succeed:

Forming

• break the ice
• let members get acquainted and feel comfortable with each other
• test social climate of group

• shyness
• politeness
• social unease
• agreement/lack of conflict
• lack of confidence

• spend time getting acquainted
• develop a positive, inclusive atmosphere
• discuss needs & expectations for group
• develop a climate of trust

Storming

• engage in substantive conflict
• validate each group members' importance as both individuals and group members

• arguing
• strong assertion of opinions
• excitement & exaggeration
• sometimes a group member temporarily withdraws from group

• embrace conflict as necessary & helpful
• encourage each member to fully express his/her opinions
• apply Universal Intellectual Standards to ideas while critically thinking
• appreciate group member differences
• give positive feedback to all members of the group

Norming

• establish predictable patterns of behavior for group members
• form roles

• individual group members take on various roles
• group "personality" develops

• openly discuss group procedures
• be willing to examine & change non-productive behaviors
• assess group goals & need.
• figure out how to best fulfill goals & needs

Performing

• complete tasks
• fulfill goals
• create output
• evaluate output

• work - group members are doing things
• a "flow" is established
• members seem relaxed & positive

• complete tasks
• assess output
• reevaluate goals
• reevaluate output in relation to goals & if necessary, go back through other phases as groups needs change