Group Development Part II

Assignment: Journal on 2 characteristics of healthy group development and 2 obstacles preventing group development. 

I'm going to simplify this assignment by picking two topics, and stating how they can help or hinder group development.  I'll go with 2 that seem like to brainers to me, conflict management and responsibility.

Responsibility is a burden of obligation.  In the stages of group development, a huge part of the groups forming can occur at the time they are first given responsibility.  This responsibility can manifest in many ways like taking on roles, generating ideas, solving problems, and making decisions.  When the individuals in the group are given responsibility, they become important and needed, making each individual feel like a part of a collaborative effort.  All this makes it possible for the group to develop further.  However, if responsibility is never taken, or only taken by select individuals, development can be hindered or get stuck in the storming stage. 

Which leads me to my next topic, conflict management.  I'm personally a huge fan of the storming stage of group development.  I like to think that conflict creates some temporary chaos, but if dealt with correctly, chaos can become calm.  Without it, we would never learn or grow.  But, in order to learn and grow, it's critical to confront group and other inter-personal issues among your team.  If conflict is not managed and addressed, issues will only magnify and create more issues.  If managed well though, there is exponential room for growth among your team.