Marked by a sense of the team member’s collective attributes and sense of functioning as a unit, a team in this phase is productive, addresses conflict well and effectively leverages its knowledge and resources to function well. Members in this phase understand
each other's strengths and weaknesses and seek to find collaborative solutions to issues. This phase uses all the tools developed
in the prior phases: Basic Communication Skills (including intrapersonal and interpersonal skills); Conflict Management; and Dialogue and Discussion.

FORMING
Tool: Basic Communication Skills

We have all heard others describe an event or conversation differently than we remember it. Why?

• We attend to different things
• We bring different experiences
• We come from different cultures
• We have different values
• We make different assumptions

"Much of the difference may be based in our Mental Models, our unconscious assumptions, our generalizations, beliefs,
values and biases. Yet, despite differing mental models, it is important that we have a common idea of our team";s task,
a shared vision. (*Senge) How do we develop a common mental model of our task?

Explore the tools of Intrapersonal Skills and Interpersonal Skills to help your team communicate effectively and to develop a common mental mode.