This phase sometimes takes 3 or 4 meetings before arriving at the Norming phase. Everyone wants to share the newly found focus. Enthusiasm is high, and the team is tempted to go beyond the original scope of the process. During this stage, members reconcile competing loyalties and responsibilities. They accept the team, team ground rules, their roles in the team, and the individuality of fellow members.
Emotional conflict is reduced as previously competitive relationships become more cooperative.
An ability to express criticism constructively. Acceptance of membership in the team. An attempt to achieve harmony by avoiding conflict. More friendliness, confiding in each other, and sharing of personal problems. A sense of team cohesion, spirit, and goals.