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New Learning In Group Behavior



New Learning in group Behavior
MGT 415
Joseph Rancourt
Professor Rayford
April 22, 2009
New Learning in Group Behavior
Throughout this course I have gained valuable knowledge that I will apply to my daily living. I am currently a part of multiple different groups, and I now believe that I will be able to participate in a more meaningful capacity. Before this course I was demonstrating much of the knowledge that I have gained in this class, without ever knowing it. In this essay I will demonstrate my knowledge on group dynamics, communication with groups, and valuing diversity.
Firstly, when considering group dynamics I find it important to understand the stages of group dynamics. Bruce Tuckman (1965) developed a 4-stage model of group development.  He labelled the stages, Dr Suess-style. According to Johnson and Johnson (2009) “…Tuckman found a surprising amount of agreement beneath the diversity and hypothesized five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning” (Pg. 28):
1. Forming: The group comes together and gets to initially know one other and form as a group.
2. Storming: A chaotic vying for leadership and trialling of group processes
3. Norming: Eventually agreement is reached on how the group operates (norming)
4. Performing: The group practices its craft and becomes effective in meeting its objectives.
Tuckman added a 5th stage 10 years later:
5. Adjourning: The process of "unforming" the group, that is, letting go of the group structure and moving on.
I would like to take this time to elaborate on these stages through my personal experience of each stage. I experienced forming when I began a job at Red Lobster. It was a new restaurant in the chain therefore, all employees were new and we all needed to be trained together, and get to know one another. Anytime I have been involved in a new group initiating there was always some awkwardness that needed to be addressed before the group can become productive....