Which characteristic suggests uncertainty during the forming stage?

In the forming stage of team development, members often experience a high level of uncertainty as they come together for the first time. This stage is characterized by individuals trying to understand their roles, the group dynamics, and the tasks ahead. The uncertainty can manifest in various ways, such as hesitance in sharing ideas, confusion about expectations, and varying levels of comfort with other team members.

This lack of clarity is typical as team members have not yet established strong relationships or levels of trust, which often leads to a cautious approach in communication and collaboration. While other characteristics, such as warm relationships and acceptance of ideas, may develop as the group progresses into later stages, they do not define the initial feelings of uncertainty that exist during the forming stage. Therefore, identifying uncertainty as a defining characteristic of this stage accurately captures the essence of the dynamics at play when a group initially comes together.