What phase of team development is characterized by establishing clarity of expectations and polite interactions?

The phase of team development characterized by establishing clarity of expectations and polite interactions is the Forming phase. During this initial stage, team members come together, meet each other, and begin to understand the team's objectives and their individual roles within the group. Interactions tend to be polite and somewhat formal as members are getting to know one another and establishing relationships.

In the Forming phase, there is a focus on building trust and clarity about expectations, which sets the foundation for the team to progress to subsequent stages. This phase is crucial for laying the groundwork for effective teamwork, as it allows members to define how they will work together and what their goals will be moving forward. It contrasts with later phases where more complex dynamics and conflicts may emerge, such as during the Storming phase, which is defined by disagreements and competition among team members, and the Norming and Performing phases, where the team solidifies its processes and relationships.