Saturday, May 4, 2013

Group Stages of Development






Groups move through several stages of growth and the wise facilitator will recognize the differing needs at each stage and respond to the members accordingly so the group can move into the Perform Stage.

Group Stages
Form: Gathering and getting acquainted. Some anxiety in members. Make sure each person is comfortable. 
Storm: Who is in charge here and how can I influence the group? Some members ask questions about direction, challenge the priorities, and show displeasure in other ways. It is a test for the facilitators for getting through this stage successfully is essential. Must listen, clarify, process, do not get defensive or argue. 
Norm: Discovering and agreeing to the Norms for group process. Everyone gets on board with the boundaries, goals, operating principles. 
Perform: Honest, genuine sharing and interdependent ministry. This is what we have been waiting for and hope for. Heart issues arise and are handled with sensitivity. 
Reform: Each time a person leaves or a new person enter the group, the dynamics change so it goes back to Form, Storm, Norm and Perform. Open groups rarely ever get to the Perform Stage because new people are always coming and going. 







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