Memorandum
To: John Smith, HR Manager
From: Learning Team C
Date: 8/8/2008
Re: Group Formation and Communication
The HR Manager position includes introducing new hires to their teams and workgroups. The HR Manager requires knowledge of how groups form to help new hires succeed in their new position. The HR manager is required to know the potential barriers involved in group communication how to overcome these barriers.
Forming groups is a process. “The five stage development model characterizes groups as proceeding through the five distinct stages: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning.” (Robbins and Judge, 2007.) A key to understanding how groups work is to understand the stages they go through. The forming stage brings group members together with no real idea of how the group will interact. They often feel uncertain of how the group will complete the assigned task. Towards the end of this stage group members should feel like part of the group. This is a short “getting to know you period.” During the forming stage leaders emerge within the group. Conflict can ensue when differing personalities try to take control of the group. Some may resist the ideas presented because they contradict their own suggestions. Weaker personalities are overridden by stronger ones. In the norming stage, group members begin to socialize and take their place within the group. Groups assign tasks to members and define their expectations for behavior and deadlines. Groups in the performing stage are completing assigned tasks. The group discusses results of assigned tasks. They ...