CTC Team Dynamics & Group Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newly formed team is experiencing high anxiety and dependency on the leader for direction. According to Tuckman's model, which stage is this team in?
- Storming
- Norming
- Forming (Correct answer)
- Performing
Correct answer: Forming
Forming is characterized by orientation, testing, and dependence on the leader as members get acquainted and seek guidance.
Question 2: A team coach observes that two sub-groups have formed and are competing for influence. Inter-group conflict is reducing overall team output. Which systemic intervention is MOST appropriate?
- Facilitate a whole-team dialogue to surface underlying needs (Correct answer)
- Coach each subgroup leader separately to reduce tension
- Recommend team restructuring to the sponsor
- Ask the team to vote on which subgroup's approach to adopt
Correct answer: Facilitate a whole-team dialogue to surface underlying needs
Bringing the whole team into dialogue surfaces the systemic dynamics at play and builds collective ownership of resolution.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes psychological safety in a team context?
- The absence of interpersonal conflict between team members
- The belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up (Correct answer)
- Agreement among team members on goals and methods
- The leader's commitment to protecting team members from external criticism
Correct answer: The belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up
Psychological safety, as defined by Amy Edmondson, is the shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.
Question 4: A team that has been performing well suddenly regresses into conflict after a key member leaves. This regression through Tuckman's stages is BEST explained by which concept?
- Group polarization
- Team re-norming (Correct answer)
- Social loafing
- Groupthink
Correct answer: Team re-norming
Teams often re-cycle through earlier stages (re-norming or re-storming) when membership changes or significant disruptions occur.
Question 5: In the BART model used in team coaching, what does 'T' stand for?
- Trust
- Tasks (Correct answer)
- Time
- Transparency
Correct answer: Tasks
BART stands for Boundaries, Authority, Role, and Task — a systems model used to clarify team structure and functioning.
Question 6: A team coach notices that the team consistently avoids giving negative feedback during retrospectives. Which group dynamic is MOST likely at play?
- Performing stage cohesion
- Groupthink (Correct answer)
- Positive regard bias
- Storming avoidance
Correct answer: Groupthink
Groupthink involves the suppression of dissent and critical evaluation to maintain harmony, which can manifest as avoiding negative feedback.
Question 7: When coaching a virtual team, which dynamic requires MORE deliberate attention compared to co-located teams?
- Role clarity
- Task allocation
- Trust and relationship building (Correct answer)
- Goal alignment
Correct answer: Trust and relationship building
Trust and relationship building are harder to establish virtually because casual interactions and non-verbal cues are limited.
CTC Team Dynamics & Group Development 2
A newly formed team is experiencing high anxiety and dependency on the leader for direction.
According to Tuckman's model, which stage is this team in?