A COTA® observes the storming phase during a task-oriented group. Which characteristic is typical?

During the storming phase of group development, it's typical for conflicts and disagreements to emerge among group members. This phase, characterized by tension and challenges, often sees individuals struggling for control and expressing differing opinions or perspectives. When a new participant frequently disagrees with others, it highlights the struggle for dominance and the various personalities coming into play, which is a hallmark of the storming phase.

However, the progression and dynamic of this stage involve the group working through their differences to establish a sense of order and cohesiveness. The other characteristics mentioned, such as smooth operations or participants seeking help due to confusion, typically align more with earlier or later stages of group development—namely, the forming or norming phases—when members are more cooperative and task-focused. Likewise, the leader feeling overwhelmed by questions may suggest a lack of clarity in group roles or objectives but does not capture the essence of the conflict-driven situation indicative of the storming phase.

Understanding that disagreements among participants are characteristic of storming helps clarify group dynamics and prepares professionals to facilitate resolution and cohesion moving forward.