As you will see in our discussions of the stages of team development, there is a good deal going on in teams to be observed. The ability to reflect on and change these processes is largely what differentiates effective from ineffective teams. Some of the processes include communication patterns, member roles, use of power and influence, decision making and problem solving, conflict, and a variety of other aspects of interaction. The following articles will help you better understand what to look for. A stuck problem may indicate that the same solution or approach to a solution is being attempted, which is why no headway is being made.
Reflection can dislodge thinking to a larger picture and more alternatives.
A critical event carries the risk of installing new norms that may have been required for the crisis, but do not function well following it. Reflection at this time can determine how useful they are. The most useful time for processing team dynamics is not just after the above critical junctures, but just following a meeting. In the beginning when processing feels awkward, takes time, and may become diverted the team may need to allocate as long as another half hour to the meeting, and conduct processing after every meeting. Later, as processing becomes more skilled, it may take less time and become more focused.