 A high level of interdependence is required to be successful on the fire line. This interdependence will only be realized through effective team building. Team building typically goes through three phases, formation, development, and performance. The leader's ultimate goal is to develop team synergy. Synergy is that powerful force that allows the team to outperform itself. In the end, you should have a team where the whole equals more than the sum of its parts. The formation phase or form is when team members are eager to fit in and usually have high expectations. This is the phase you and your crew are going through right now. The development or storm phase can be described as a period when team members are frustrated with the discrepancy between their initial expectations and reality. During the performance or norm phase, team members are committed to the team vision and values. This is where the team will attain synergy. Your facilitator will now lead you in an exercise in which you will identify the leader's role during each phase of team building, form, storm, and norm. You may find it helpful to utilize the operational leadership section in the IRPG.