My 'problems' with group participation are not with the process of becoming a group member but when a real group fails to come into being, and the group is personally polarized rather than productive.

How do individuals maintain their individuality while fully participating in the group process?

Staying focused on the task, listening to others and being willing to change one's mind and still being true to one's values and knowledge -- these are the cornerstones of maintaining one's individuality while still furthering the mission of the group....

It is necessary that people retain their individuality, because the strength of a group lies in its multiplicity of perspectives and talents, as well as a sense of common purpose. Participation and dialogue, and creating a communication process that promotes compromise rather than division are all important in making the sense of part of a group feel like a privilege, not a burden.
Works Cited

Allerman, Glenn. (2004). "Forming, Storming, Norming Performing and Adjourning." Retrieved 8 Mar 2007 at http://www.niwotridge.com/PDFs/FormStormNormPerform.pdf