Group Specifically, "group" is a collection of people who interact with each other over time to accomplish a common goal. The

Group
   If you’ve lived any time at all on this earth, you’ve been subject to the sometimes-dreaded  group experience. There are almost as many definitions of the term "group" as there are different types of groups. For our purposes, "group" is a collection of people who interact with each other over time to accomplish a common goal. This type of group may be called a task force, a council, a committee, or a board. The label isn’t important, but understanding the group process is of utmost importance.
   Groups, like communication style, have a degree of predictability ’about them, and you can learn to manage predictable behaviors. The most predictable thing about groups is that they have a life cycle. If you understand the life cycle, then you know what to expect. This doesn’t change the fact that certain things will happen; it just means you can plan for these things to happen. The five stages of the life cycle are: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning.
   First, forming stage. In this stage, the group members come together to find out about each other mid define their group goals. They talk about themselves to try to establish some interpersonal relationship between and among members, and also talk about the task to be performed.
   Members often engage in "flashing" behaviors, similar to the chest-beating ritual apes go through when they gather to discuss whatever it is that apes discuss. Group members flash information about themselves to other members, and this flashing helps to establish norms, guidelines and rules regarding acceptable and unacceptable behaviors for group members.
   The forming stage is a natural and necessary part of the group development process. When you allow the natural formation to take place, you can expect to hear polite and casual exchanges of personal information between and among members, and you can expect a series of questions and answers aimed at clarifying perceptions regarding the precise nature of the task at hand.
   Second, storming stage. The group now begins to discuss in earnest who is going to be responsible for what.  Differences are aired, polite conversation is abandoned, and individual personalities and communication styles emerge. The storm really begins to brew when group goals conflict with individual needs.  Group members stop their flashing behaviors and begin jockeying for position. Each member attempts to define his or her status within the group and to set limits regarding individual contributions to the group effort. Conflict between members and emotional responses to the task at hand are to be expected. Informal subgroups may form as individual members begin to link up with other members who share a similar persuasion.
   Effective groups resolve individual differences that emerge during this second stage or can capitalize on the differences to bring about the group goal. Some groups get stuck in the storming stage because they are unable to resolve individual differences. Some groups avoid conflict at all cost and end up producing an acceptable but mediocre product.
   The third stage is referred to as norming. During this norming stage, members now begin to make constructive use of conflict. Conflict aimed at sorting out the best parts of differing ideas and viewpoints is a healthy, normal, and necessary part of the group process. During this middle stage, members express their opinions and begin to develop common or shared opinions of what needs to be done. Group cohesion begins to emerge, and members begin working together as a unit.
   At this time, members begin to realize individual contributions to the overall goal and begin accepting responsibility for the final product. You can expect to hear supportive statements and can expect task discussion to focus on the division of labor--who will be doing what to produce the final product.
   Next comes the performing stage. If the group makes it to this stage, they will be functioning like a well-oiled machine. Everything comes together; loyalty, trust, and supportiveness are evident among members, and a blending of individual and group goals is achieved. Suggestions, comments, ideas, and criticisms are provided with a supportive tone, motivation is high, and members are comfortable with the roles they have assumed. Conversation focuses on perfecting the final product, and compromise with respect to remaining details is easily achieved.
   Finally, it is the adjourning stage. As the life cycle of a group draws to an end, members begin to engage in parting rituals. They pat each other on the back and make reassuring statements about the fine decisions they have reached. They may even make reference to an earlier disagreement and how the discussion cleared the air and allowed them to come up with a better decision. The group adjourns, and members await their assignment to another group.
   All effective groups pass through this life cycle. If you understand that each phase of the cycle is a natural and necessary part of the development process, you can use your knowledge of communication style to guide a group through the process to achieve the stated goals. Additionally, you can bring about a group synergism that is greater than the sum of its parts; you produce an end product that is superior to anything one individual member could have produced.
   That sounds simple enough, so why doesn’t it work? Mainly because the group is made up of human beings.