Group Development: Bambi Rose M. Española

GROUP DEVELOPMENT
Bambi Rose M. Española

Do you think that a new team
will perform well when it first
comes together?
Assumptions
 group develops in patterns allowing
predictions to be made on future
member/group behaviour
 same developmental features will be evident

in all groups
 later developmental stages are dependent on

the successful negotiation of earlier stages
 groups may regress back to earlier stages of

development
Models of Group Development
can assist group leaders in planning, delivering and
evaluating groups
can provide direction for group training programs
there are four models of group development
Tuckman
American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)
Jones
Branbender and Fallon
Tuckman’s Model
 introduced by Bruce Tuckman (1965) in his article
“Developmental Sequence in Small Groups” and expanded in
1977 by Tuckman and Jensen
 describe the path that most team follow on their way to high
performance
 it is a five-stage model of group development
Tuckman’s Model
ADJOURNIN
G
Forming
represents a time where the group is just starting to
come together and is characterized with anxiety and
uncertainty
emphasis is on helping members feel they are part
of the group and when trust and inclusiveness is
developed
leaders aim to educate the members (purpose, rules

and roles of participants), invite trust and highlight
commonalities of the members
THERE AIN’T NO FLIES ON ME,
THERE AIN’T NO FLIES ON ME,
THERE MIGHT BE FLIES ON
YOU
1. How many teams ended up in:

Win/Lose situation?
Win/Win situation?
2. The next time you are in a ‘cross line situation, what is the first
thing you will do to avoid Win/Lose situation?
Storming
focused on issues of power or status and resolution
of associated conflicts
members may question the leader’s authority and
test for control, as their roles are clarified and they
feel overwhelmed by their workload
some members may question the worth of the
team's goal and they may resist taking on tasks
leaders seek to promote a safe and successful

resolution of conflict, encourage group cohesion
and facilitate interpersonal learning
Norming
establishment of trust and functional group structure
(norms)
members start to resolve their differences, appreciate
each others strengths and respect authority of leader
members develop a sense of greater cohesion and
understandings of how to work together
leaders promote cohesion and positive group working

environment with interventions reflecting a balance of
support and confrontation
Performing
characterized by a mature, productive group process and
expression of individual differences
the group reaches this stage, when hard work leads, without
friction, to the achievement of the team's goal.
members engage with one another and come to accept their
uniqueness
leaders allow the group to function at an optimally productive

level and highlight individuality of the members
A Circle of Kindness
1. Form a double circle, one partner facing the center of the circle and the other
partner facing the center also with their hands on the shoulders of the inner
circle person.
2. Inner circle: close eyes and only reply “Thank you”
3. Outer circle: whisper into the ear of the inner participants, mentioning
something important that they learned from or appreciated about them during
the activity or pleasant memory or positive comment
4. The outer circle then moves to the inner circle, vice versa.
5. The process begins again
Adjourning
group experience is reviewed in this phase and
closure is reached
members identify their learning, say goodbye to
one another and anticipate the future
leaders facilitate a focus on separation issues,

review of the group experience and help members
prepare for the ending of the group
leaders encourage expression of feelings
associated with saying goodbye and help members
attend to unfinished business in the group
American Group
Psychotherapy Association
is a national organization dedicated to enhancing the

practice, theory and research of group psychotherapy
AGPA guidelines point out that there is strong

consensus for a five-stage model for group
development
As a team leader,
Identify the stage of development of your team.
Consider what you need to do to move towards the
performing stage.
Schedule regular reviews of where your team is, and adjust
your behaviour and leadership approach appropriately.
Stage Activities
•Direct the team, and establish clear objectives, both for the team as a whole and
Forming
individual members.
•Resolve conflicts swiftly if they occur.
•Provide support, especially to those team members who are less secure.
•Remain positive and firm in the face of challenges to your leadership or to the
Storming
team's goal.
•Coach team members in assertiveness and conflict resolution skills, where this is
necessary.
•Step back and help team members take responsibility for progress towards the goal.
(arrange a team-building event.)
Norming •Share leadership role
•Build trust and good relationships between team members.
•Delegate tasks and projects as far as you can. Once the team is achieving well, you
Performing should aim to have as light a touch as possible. You will now be able to start focusing
on other goals and areas of work.
•Take the time to celebrate the team's achievements – you may work with some of
Adjourning your people again, and this will be much easier if people view past experiences
positively.
References:
American Group Psychotherapy Association (2007).
Practice guidelines for group psychotheraphy.
Retrieved from http://agpa.org/guidelines/AGPA%20
Practice%20Guidelines%202007-PDE.pdf
Conyne, R. K. (2014). Group Work Leadership, An
Introduction for Helpers. Belmont, CA: Sage
Publications, Inc.

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GROUP DEVELOPMENT

Bambi Rose M. Española

 same developmental features will be evident

 later developmental stages are dependent on

 groups may regress back to earlier stages of

leaders aim to educate the members (purpose, rules

1. How many teams ended up in:

leaders seek to promote a safe and successful

leaders promote cohesion and positive group working

leaders allow the group to function at an optimally productive

leaders facilitate a focus on separation issues,

is a national organization dedicated to enhancing the

AGPA guidelines point out that there is strong

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