By definition a team is a union of several people who gather together to achieve a certain goal. In contrast to members of a group the members of a team share with complementary skills. Due to that do the members of a team get in dependence of another.  The group (eg. the staff in a company) could be further categorised in a formal group with a certain hierarchy (the CEO is the official or formal leader), a structure (the shift times and outlines of the goals to be achieved in the future), a stated purpose (e.g. increase sales) and of course a set of written laws and rules.

But on the other hand, the in my eyes more interesting groups that arise are the informal groups. Because we have needs beyond the work itself, informal groups develop to fill certain emotional, social and psychological needs. People get together who find each other interesting and can easily relate to. The new build informal group satisfies one’s affiliation needs for friendship and support.

An very fitting model for the development of informal groups was created by Mr Tuckman.
1st Stage (Forming): Everyone’s behaviour is driven by desire to be accepted and liked by the others and conflicts were avoided. It is a rather superficial level because serious issues and deeper conversations don’t arise.
2nd Stage (Storming): First problem start to bother the members of the group and they can’t stay unspoken anymore. Problems can be solved but it can also be possible that people leave the group in that stage.
3rd Stage (Norming): After a short period of reflection the members have a better understanding of another and values the other skills and experiences and know how to address the others. The group grows into an effective one and the cohesiveness increases.
4th Stage (Performing): The group can finally focus on their performance. The members of the group can trust each other and accept the new formed norms. All the interrupting issues are cleaned away.

Another important aspect of the informal group is that there isn’t a hierarchy. It is more that there is a rotational leadership. The leader emerges when he/she possesses qualities that the others don’t have. And if he/she don’t has them for the next topic anymore the leader changes.

One last point I read is that the leader of a group is most of the time the person “on the table” who talks the 2nd most. I have tried to listen to groups in my environment and I could see that as well. Keep your eyes and ears open, you might learn a lot :)

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