What is the focus of the norming stage in team development?

The focus of the norming stage in team development is centered around resolving conflicts and developing cohesion among team members. During this phase, team members have typically moved past the initial forming stage and the subsequent storming stage, where initial impressions and conflicts often arise. As the team begins to establish a sense of trust and camaraderie, they work collaboratively to define norms, expectations, and roles.

This stage is crucial for fostering open communication, as team members learn to appreciate each other's strengths and work towards a united approach to their shared goals. By resolving conflicts that may have surfaced earlier, the team can build a cohesive environment, making it easier to collaborate effectively moving forward.

In the context of the other options, while initial impressions and defining rules and expectations are important aspects of team development, they are more relevant to the forming and storming stages, respectively. Further, while achieving specific project outcomes is a goal for any team, it becomes more of a focus in the performing stage, where the team has already established cohesion and collaboration. Thus, the norming stage is distinctly characterized by the efforts to resolve conflicts and strengthen relationships among team members.