For decades, we lived and worked with hundreds of youth of all ages, up to 12 at a time. Starting out as strangers, our kids usually followed the 5 stages of group development described below. These 5 stages were especially displayed quite clearly many times during our 18 months living and working with 8 teenage boys who were placed in emergency care. Because placement was limited to a maximum of 60 days, youth were frequently being admitted and discharged, and group dynamics constantly changed. Our roles as facilitators were to provide a safe, structured environment where expectations were clear, reasonable, and consistently enforced. Interventions were meant to facilitate self-responsibility, self-regulation and autonomy.
We found that as each youth mastered basic life skills, reached their incremental goals, and developed trusting relationships, their need for negative or self-destructive behavior diminished and their willingness to resolve conflicts peacefully increased dramatically.
Forming Stage
The group starts to become familiar with each other, defines their purpose for what the group will do together. The Circle Process is a powerful tool for building relationships, guiding group dynamics and establishing open communication that minimizes blocking, monopolizing and non-participation by group members. Establish clear, written expectations using circle process consensus-decision making.
Storming
Storming is when conflict and competition are at its greatest. Group members know one another, understand their purpose and begin to address the more important issues relating to individual roles, responsibilities or differences between the group members themselves. More dominant of the group members emerge while others stay quiet, Issues around leadership, authority, rules, responsibilities, structure, evaluation criteria and reward systems tend to arise and must be addressed before moving to the norming stage.
Norming
Norming is when the group is clear and focused on purpose and goals. The group becomes more cohesive, and a sense of trust and community is established. The talents, skills and experience that each member brings are recognized. Leadership is shared, consensus decision making facilitates consistency and cohesion. Members are more flexible and willing to adapt to the needs of the group. Maintaining clear expectations creates safe boundaries to work within.
Performing
Performing is marked by high productivity, consensus decision making, greater autonomy and self-regulation. Problem solving and testing solutions increases as the group focuses on task completion and achievement. Facilitator guides but does not determine outcome- Member-led whenever possible.
Adjourning-Celebration
Every group and team disband sooner or later. Group members must be prepared from the beginning that time together is a steppingstone to help them get where they want to be in life. Birthday celebrations, welcome circles for new kids and staff, or to say goodbye. Understanding that the group’s time together is temporary helps prepare group members for loss, which can be painful.
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