The four-stage group development model suggests forming occurs when employees begin to see themselves as part of the group. Which stage comes next?

• A. Storming
• B. Norming
• C. Performing
• D. Adjourning

Answer: (B)

After the group forms, the next step is Norming. In this stage, members begin to align on how they will work together: they establish ground rules and roles, clarify expectations, and build trust. This growing cohesion reduces ambiguity and improves cooperation, setting the stage for the team to move into the Performing stage where they can work effectively toward goals. Storming involves conflicts and disagreements, and Adjourning is the disbanding of the group, so they don’t come immediately after forming in this four-stage sequence.