I want to insert a link to the information that I have been reading, but I could not find it on the public internet and I am obligated not to post the information on the internet, so instead I will insert the following link from Wikipedia.com that covers Forming – Storming – Norming – Performing team development : Tuckman's stages of group development.
The following are ideas that should be applicable to JWN members trying to organize campaigns to empower JWs. If JWN members do become more active, please be kind to JWs who are indoctrinate and do not degrade them. The major problem is the WTBTS's leaders and doctrines and not the R&F - R&F JWs are the victims!
Effective teams are formed in four stages which are identified as Forming – Storming – Norming – Performing. On JWN these teams will come and go as goals are created and completed.
Some behavioral scientist swap the definition of goals and objectives, so I feel it is important to define what I mean in this thread. Objectives can be defined as something that is trying to be reached and goals can be defined as something that is trying to be grasped. Objectives do not have time targets to achieve a task and goals do.
When teams are formed, members want to know the objective(s) and goal(s). Each member wants to know something about other team members. This is an orientation phase in many ways. Individuals are testing relationships with the organizers or team builder (e.g., leaders) and each other. They are working within the scope of the objectives and goals of the team. The forming stage is where the team and team members are discovering and defining their roles.
During the forming state in corporations and volunteer organizations, an assigned team builder directs by necessity. On JWN a team builder would probably by more successful by listening and encouraging team members. The team members are generally motivated but need guidance to acheive team goals and overcome issues. It's a good time to observe who the emerging leaders of the team will be and gently remind team members when they steer off course.
The output during the formation stage is generally low as individuals on the team are concentrating on defining goals, how to approach the tasks and what additional knowledge or skills are needed. This stage is important because the team members get to know each other, share some personal information and create new friendships. Successful team building requires this phase because the team members are people who need to cooperate, and JWN members need to build trust between JWs, exJWs, and non-JWs, who were adversely affected by the WTBTS.
After the somewhat artificial polite forming stage, differences among group members emerge during the next stage, known as the Storming stage.
To be continued to allow this thread to be BTTT. Feel free to read the Wikipedia article and do additional research about building teams to comment on how I try to adapt what I have learned to the unique social environment on JWN.
Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,
Robert
