At this initial stage, individuals in the group are brought together.

This can be a difficult time for people, as they begin to explore how to behave within the group.  There is a great deal of individual exploration, with members of the group getting to know each other and discovering common interests.  For some less outgoing members, this can be a very intimidating experience.

This initial stage in group forming is a perfect time to practise interpersonal skills such as building rapport and questioning. There are numerous team-building exercises that can be used early in group formation in an attempt to break the ice.

The role of the group leader during this opening stage is to encourage group members to find common ground, for the individual group members to relax and feel more confident.  There is a need to ensure that a balance is achieved between the more extrovert and the more introvert members of the group.  The leader should aim for each individual member to feel that they have an equal status within the group.

Once group members begin to feel that they know one another and common ground has been established, the aims of the group need to be agreed.  The leader must focus the members on the aims and goals of the group.  The norms of the group will begin to evolve at this stage, which is further characterised by the group’s dependence on the group leader, who needs to establish the group’s confidence and respect.

Developing group cohesiveness is very important at this stage.  Cohesiveness evolves as bonds within the group emerge and members begin to feel they belong.  At this stage, there may be fears of ‘not belonging’ or not ‘fitting in’.  In order to facilitate group cohesiveness and bonding, the group leader may try to prevent the group from forming sub-groups.  Sub-groups may, however, already be formed if some of the members of the group are acquainted.

From this initial stage, the group style is established.

Style refers to whether the group has a positive or optimistic outlook, whether it is supportive or antagonistic, whether it is serious or light-hearted.  Once the style of the group is established, the group can be resistant to change at a later stage, therefore it is important that the leader steers the group towards a style that is best suited to meet the aims of the group.