Leading You Me We 35 Group Dynamics 101

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Session 35
Group Dynamics 101
• As a leader we need to understand group dynamics.
• There are three kinds of behaviors you'll find in a group, and specific, predictable 
stages a group will go through.
• The three kinds of behavior are:
1. Power: I want control over the group to serve my own agenda.
2. Achievement: I want to make sure the group achieves the tasks it was intended to.
3. Affiliation: I want to make sure everyone in the group is satisfied and plays a part.
• Control People will try to take over the group, change the agenda, make suggestions, 
etc.
• Affiliation People are so concerned with making sure people's emotional needs get 
met that they don't care so much about getting the task done.
• In all groups, these 3 forces are in conflict and need to be balanced.
• Groups go through 4 stages.
• Stage 1: Forming
1. Do I want to be part of this group? (Inclusion)
2. Know that you'll have followers come and go, and you'll need to help the group 
adjust as this happens.
• Stage 2: Storming
1. Power struggle for control of the group. (Control)
2. Some groups never get past this stage. They are always fighting and don't get 
much done.
• Stage 3: Norming
1. We've worked out a balance so work can get done.
2. The single most important factor on group cohesiveness is the decision as to how 
to make decisions, and frequently this is done unconsciously.
a. You can't leave this to chance. Discuss openly to make it conscious.
3. Group think example: The Abilene Parable. You want to go to Abilene? Oh, you 
want to go to Abilene? OK...
a. Assuming what other people want and trying to please them... is a recipe for 
disaster. Members must be prepared to stand up for what they want and don't 
want.
4. As a leader, think ahead of time about the norms you want the group to form.
5. Another important factor in group cohesiveness is the group member's willingness 
to discipline other members when they violate the norms.
• Stage 4: Transforming
1. Most groups don't last forever. Many should have stopped working together long 
before they eventually do.
2. When groups end, there's a vacuum.
3. If the group isn't achieving it's goal, the question becomes when to stop and 
"acknowledge failure."
• As leader, you need to be aware of every stage and lead the group through at each 
point.