How to Use Group Dynamic Theory to Get Ahead
Groups are a party of human existence. Belonging is hardwired in our DNA. And in 1965, a researcher named Bruce Wayne Tuckman unveiled a brilliant way to look at how teams form and gel together. He pinpointed stages like forming, storming, norming, performing, and later added in another one called adjourning.
This framework helps us get our heads around why groups act the way they do. There is a clear pattern from the initial meet-up to the final high-five. It’s like having a roadmap for navigating the sometimes choppy waters of teamwork, giving us a heads-up on what to expect at each turn.
Group Rule #1: Take it slow
An example is a group of classmates coming together for the first time. It’s akin to the first day at a new school or joining a fresh club. Everyone’s on their best behaviour, polite and a bit cautious, checking each other out and trying to suss out the lay of the land. This forming stage is crucial because it sets the vibe for the rest of the set up.
Group forming is all about laying the foundation for trust and camaraderie, though at this point, everyone’s still keeping it light and breezy while they figure out how they fit into the puzzle. What they have in common. And the overall desire at this stage is to be accepted by the group. Slowly does it.
Group Rule #2 Expect some choppiness at the beginning
The next stage is called storming. It’s an apt title because it can get a bit unsettling at this juncture. It’s when the initial niceties wear off, and real personalities start to shine through, sometimes clashing like cymbals in an orchestra. Storming is mostly about jockeying for position and seeing who’s going to take the lead.
This is why group dynamics during the storming phase are not always a walk in the park. This is where incidents of bullying by exclusion show up. There are invariably some disagreements and tiffs as every member of the group tries to get their point across. But storming is a necessary evil. Without this bit of rough and tumble, the group wouldn’t really find its footing. It’s through these squabbles that a pecking order is established, and the group begins to find its direction.
Group Rule #3 Don’t Rock the Boat
After the initial shuffling comes a calm, or, in this case, the norming stage. It’s when the group starts to settle down and find a rhythm that works for everyone. Conflicts begin to simmer down, and a sense of unity starts to take hold. People begin to appreciate each other’s quirks and skills, and a genuine team spirit starts to bubble up.
This norming stage is all about building bridges and cementing relationships that can weather the ups and downs of group projects. It’s the time when the group starts to really feel like a team, with everyone pulling in the same direction and working towards a common goal.
Group Rule #4 Appreciate the teamwork
Once the norming stage is over, the group is at its performing stage, where everything starts to click into place. Everyone is identifying with the group, and it is like a well-oiled machine, humming along and knocking out tasks with efficiency and flair. Everyone’s in sync, and the group energy is electric, with creativity and productivity at an all-time high.
The performing stage is the golden era of the group’s journey, where all the earlier stages come together in synergy or collaboration. The group is not just working together as a team; they’re excelling, pushing boundaries, and setting new benchmarks. It’s the kind of teamwork that makes you puff out your chest with pride, knowing you’re part of something special
Group Rule #5 Stand up to bullying in groups
But being part of a group or a team is not all smooth sailing. Even in the tightest of cliques, bullying can sneak in, casting a shadow over the camaraderie. It’s often during the storming stage that these gremlins show up, when the battle for dominance can turn ugly. Someone might start taking the mickey out of others, using put-downs or exclusion to prop themselves up.
Bullying of group members is a real dampener and can throw a spanner in the works, upsetting the group’s mojo and leaving some feeling like they’re on the outer. The challenge is to encourage an environment where every member feels they are part of the functioning of the group. It’s about fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to the team’s success without fear of being put down or left out.
In wrapping up, navigating the highs and lows of group dynamics is a bit like riding a rollercoaster. There are thrilling peaks, daunting dips, and a fair share of twists and turns. But armed with Tuckman’s roadmap and a keen eye for the pitfalls like bullying, groups can not only survive the ride but come out stronger, more cohesive, and ready to take on every task.
Being a group player is all about embracing the journey, learning from each stage, and ensuring everyone feels like they’ve got a seat at the table. Because when a team truly gels, the sky’s the limit. Good groups are great. But the sad fact is that not everyone can belong.
Switching groups or vying to join a new group is inevitable. And armed with the knowledge of these dyamics will stand you in better stead to cope with the highs and lows.
Moreover, the journey through these well known stages offers valuable life lessons for all. It teaches resilience, the importance of communication, and the value of diverse perspectives. These are skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Why not try out our monologues? download our monologues
