Stage of group formation

According to Bruce Tuckman (1965), following are the stages of group formation.

1. Forming (Orientation)

• In this stage, most team members are positive and polite.
• Some are anxious, as they haven’t fully understood what work the team will do.
• Others are simply excited about the task ahead

2. Storming (Power struggle)

• The team moves into the storming phase, where people start to push against the boundaries established in the forming stage.
• This is the stage where many teams fail. Storming often starts where there is a conflict between team members’ natural working styles.
• People may work in different ways for all sorts of reasons but, if differing working styles cause unforeseen problems, they may become frustrated.
• Team members may challenge the authority, or jockey for position as their roles are clarified.

3. Norming (Cooperation and Integration)

• Gradually, the team moves into the norming stage. This is when people start to resolve their differences, appreciate colleagues’ strengths, and respect the leader.
• The group members know one another better, they may socialize together, and they are able to ask one another for help and provide constructive feedback.

4. Performing (Synergy)

• The team reaches the performing stage, when hard work leads, without friction, to the achievement of the team’s goal.
• The structures and processes that have been set up support this well. The leader concentrates on developing team members.
• It feels easy to be part of the team at this stage, and people who join or leave won’t disrupt performance.

5. Adjourning (Closure)

• Many teams will reach this stage eventually. For example, project teams exist for only a fixed period, and even permanent teams may be disbanded through organizational restructuring.
• Team members who like routine, or who have developed close working relationships with colleagues, may find this stage difficult.

Role of social group in agricultural extension

• Social groups have following roles in agricultural extension;
• It enables the extension agent to have face to face contact with a number of people at a time.
• People can be easily motivated to accept change due to group influence.
• It is less expensive than others method in stimulating action.
• In groups people can be motivated and members of groups can be involved for in depth discussion on different relevant topics.