According to the four-stage group development model, the 'forming' stage is when employees begin to:

• A. See themselves as part of the group
• B. Compete for informal leadership
• C. Establish their own set of norms
• D. Question their assigned duties and roles

Answer: (A)

The forming stage is about initial team onboarding and orientation, where members start to identify as part of the group and begin to see themselves within the team. This early sense of belonging and recognition of the group’s purpose lays the groundwork for future collaboration. Competing for informal leadership is more typical of the storming stage, when power and influence are being negotiated. Establishing a shared set of norms usually happens during the norming stage as the group agrees on how to work together. Questioning assigned duties and roles tends to surface in storming when roles and expectations are debated.