Imagine you and your friends decide to participate in a marathon, the Bay to Breakers, dressed as a 20-foot-long hot dog. The costume looks fantastic, but things start to fall apart during the race. Some team members can’t keep up, others lose focus, and a few even quit midway. Suddenly, you’re left dragging the costume alone on live TV—a sad little hot dog, a sad little group.
This scenario perfectly illustrates the pitfalls of skipping a crucial phase of group development: joining. Early group dynamics set the tone for whether a team can become cohesive and effective. Yet, many groups dive into tasks without ensuring everyone has committed to joining—not just showing up but fully dedicating themselves to the collective success of the group.
Why Joining Matters
When groups form, we often think about tasks and roles. However, these are secondary to the critical first step of committing to join. Without this commitment, members cling to their independence, making it difficult to respond to or be accountable for the group’s collective needs. A lack of commitment leads to fragmentation and over-differentiation, much like the unraveling of the hot dog team.
The Purpose of Forming
The Forming stage of group development has one purpose: to transform a collection of individuals into a cohesive, working group. Members must orient themselves to the task, the group’s purpose, and each other. It’s the moment to ask:
- Why are we coming together?
- What do we want to accomplish?
- What constraints or challenges might each member face?
- What unique skills can we bring?
- What does commitment look like for this group?
Skipping this step can derail the group’s success, as enthusiasm alone isn’t enough to sustain collaboration.
The Critical Result: Commitment to Join
For a group to thrive, each member must make an explicit commitment to work with others toward the shared goal. This commitment lays the foundation for responsiveness, accountability, and synergy. Without it, even the best ideas—like dressing as a giant hot dog—can collapse under the weight of misaligned effort.
Lessons from the Hot Dog Group
The next time you’re forming a group, remember: enthusiasm can spark an idea, but it’s commitment that fuels success. Take time to ensure every member understands the purpose, aligns with the goals, and commits fully to the journey. A well-formed group transforms individual contributions into a cohesive, high-performing team. Don’t be a sad hot dog—be a winning team.