During which stage of team development is dependence on the leader the highest?

In the forming stage of team development, team members are most reliant on the leader for direction, clarity, and structure. During this initial phase, individuals come together, often feeling uncertain about their roles within the group and the tasks at hand. They seek guidance and support from their leader to establish relationships, understand group objectives, and create a foundation for teamwork.

Because of the unfamiliarity among team members and the lack of established norms, there is a natural tendency to look to the leader for reassurance and authority. This high dependence on the leader helps facilitate introductions, promote team bonding, and begin setting expectations that will guide the team's development as they navigate subsequent stages.

As the team progresses into the storming, norming, and performing stages, members begin to assert themselves, build relationships, and become more self-sufficient, leading to a reduced dependence on formal leadership compared to the forming stage.