The Norming stage is the third phase in Tuckman's model of group development. During this stage, conflicts from the Storming phase are resolved, and group unity and cohesion emerge. Members begin to trust each other, develop a sense of shared identity, and establish group norms. A critical aspect of this stage is the acceptance of individual roles and team responsibilities as the group focuses on working together to achieve its objectives. This acceptance solidifies the team's structure and operating procedures.

A. Forming stage: In this initial stage, team members are just getting acquainted. Roles and responsibilities are still ambiguous and have not yet been fully defined or accepted.

B. Performing stage: In this stage, responsibilities have already been accepted and internalized. The team is mature and functions efficiently to accomplish its tasks, not just beginning to accept responsibilities.

D. Storming stage: This stage is characterized by conflict and competition over roles, leadership, and procedures. Responsibilities are often challenged rather than accepted.

1. Tuckman

B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin

63(6)

384–399. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0022100.

Page 386: Tuckman describes the "Norming" stage (originally termed Stage 3) as the period where "in-group feeling and cohesiveness develop

new standards evolve

and new roles are adopted." This adoption of roles is synonymous with accepting team responsibilities.

2. MIT Human Resources. (n.d.). Leading Teams: Tuckman's Stages of Group Development. MIT. Retrieved from https://hr.mit.edu/learning-topics/teams/articles/stages-development

Norming Stage Section: This resource states that in the Norming stage

"Agreement and consensus is largely formed among the team

who respond well to facilitation by leader. Roles and responsibilities are clear and accepted."

3. Bonebright

D. A. (2010). 40 years of storming: a historical review of Tuckman's model of small group development. Human Resource Development International

13(1)

111-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678861003589099.

Page 112: The article summarizes the Norming stage as the point where "group members establish group norms and standards of conduct... Members accept the group and the idiosyncrasies of fellow members." This acceptance is foundational to taking on shared responsibilities.