In the storming phase of group development, what is a key leadership responsibility?

• A. Model behavior that facilitates progress through the phase.
• B. Avoid addressing conflicts.
• C. Move straight to norming.
• D. Disband the group.

Answer: (A)

During the storming phase, teams navigate conflict as members test roles and priorities. A leadership responsibility is modeling the kind of behavior that moves the group through this tension. By openly addressing disagreements, showing how to negotiate, listening actively, and setting ground rules for respectful communication, the leader demonstrates constructive conflict resolution and helps the group build trust. This modeling helps members feel safe to voice concerns, clarifies expectations, and gradually establishes clearer roles and norms, enabling progress toward cohesion.

Ignoring conflicts, trying to skip ahead to the next stage, or dissolving the group would derail the team’s development and prevent the necessary negotiation and trust-building that happens in this phase.