Stage of group development
Group development follows a step by step method in order for such a team to grow and work cohesively. An example of such step by step method is the model suggested by Bruce Tuckman in 1965. This model suggests these steps to be: forming, storming, norming and performing (Dyer, 2004).
- Forming: This is the first stage of establishing a group. Members develop the desire to be accepted by others so as to get rid of controversies. Members get to understand each other, understand the task ahead of them and how to appreciate each others role. Opportunities and challenges are identified so as to set goals for the task ahead of them.
- Storming: At this stage, different ideas are brought together for competition. Members of the team agree on the problems they are supposed to solve. They agree how to operate independently and together in order to provide solutions to the problem ahead of them and the best model of leadership is agreed at this stage.
- Norming: This is the stage whereby the team agrees on one specific goal to drive them to achieving their objective. Every member agrees to employ his/her knowledge and skill s and takes responsibility of the duties allocated.
- Performing: At this stage, the team can start working as a unit in order to have the task ahead completed effectively with no need for any supervision. Team members are competent to make decisions that contribute to the team success.
Types of roles played by group members
A group is composed of people who have different levels of knowledge and skills. The success of a group is depends on how people relate to each other. Some of the members of a team tend to be supportive to the work of the group while some are interested with completing the group task successfully while there are still others who make negative contribution to the group by bringing conflict and disharmony in the group (Dyer, 2004). Each member of a group has a specific role to play in the group, the roles played are:
Initiator: This is the member who suggests the initial idea or the various ways of addressing a group task. This initiates the exploration of the several ideas that can be employed to find a group solution.
Information seeker: Carries out a research on finding facts of the ideas suggested. Additionally, this member finds out the missing information which is necessary for the continued success of the group task.
Coordinator: Monitors the relationship of the ideas. This task involves bringing the ideas together so as the can work cohesively.
Recorder: The role of this member is to store the minutes of the meeting and other records. This task involves keeping a good track of all the activities that are carried out by the group.
Group conformity issues
Forsyth (2006) defined conformity as “the process by which an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are conditioned by what is conceived to be what other people might perceive.” Conformity influences the performances of team members in a group because people feel that they have the security to belong to the specific group. Conformity in a group is influenced by factors such as, age, education status and religion.
Cohesiveness and effectiveness of a group
Cohesiveness refers to the ability of team members to work together in a united manner so as to arrive at the desired mission. Dyer (2004) identified two factors that help to keep a group operating cohesively. According to Dyer (2004) “one factor is a sense of being connected to others based on emotional satisfaction like the way we all feel connected to family and friends and the other is the sense of being connected to others based on the shared need to get the job done”. This cohesiveness is the one that makes a group work in a way that the group task is accomplished effectively.
References
- Dyer, W., (2004). Team Building, 3rd Edition, New York: Prentice Hall.
- Forsyth, D.R., (2006). Group Dynamics, 4th Edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.