Broken Adolescence is where most ERG programs end up—not because of a lack of interest or effort, but because they were launched without a real foundation. These programs are technically “up and running,” but something just feels off. There may be active ERGs, regular events, and even a decent amount of membership. But under the surface, there’s confusion, burnout, and very little consistency. It’s not that people aren’t trying—it’s that they were never given the structure to succeed.

This phase usually shows up when the Infancy stage was skipped or rushed. The program launched before clearly defining what success looks like. It didn’t establish a shared vision, a clear governance model, or consistent processes across ERGs. There’s no unified structure for roles, no central handbook, and little to no data being tracked that actually reflects progress. Each ERG group is doing the best it can, but with no shared direction or support, everyone ends up doing something different—and no one’s quite sure if it’s working.

Result

The result? ERG leaders are over-functioning to fill in the gaps. Program Managers are constantly reacting, trying to troubleshoot inconsistencies across groups. And while engagement might look decent on paper, it’s almost always unsustainable. Eventually, momentum stalls, leaders burn out, and progress flatlines. What started as an exciting initiative now feels disorganized and heavy.

This is Broken Adolescence. And the only way out is to go back—not to start over, but to revisit Infancy and implement the 3Ps the right way.

That means:

• Purpose: Establishing a shared program vision, defining who the ERG program is meant to serve, and aligning with executive stakeholders on what’s in scope and what’s not.
• Processes: Creating a consistent governance structure across ERGs, defining task-based roles with clear accountability, and documenting processes in a comprehensive (and easy-to-use) handbook.
• Programming: Training ERG leaders to plan and facilitate community-centered programming that resonates with their specific member base—before a single event is delivered.

What does Infancy means?

Going back to Infancy doesn’t mean starting from scratch. But it may mean pausing new initiatives temporarily, especially if what’s currently in place is creating more confusion than clarity. It means getting aligned before trying to grow. And it means choosing long-term impact over short-term activity.

If your program is stuck in Broken Adolescence, that’s not a failure. It’s a signal. A sign that your program has outgrown its structure and needs to be rebuilt on stronger ground. The ERG Movement Model exists to help with exactly that. It gives you a clear, step-by-step framework to move from where you are now to where you want to be—with clarity, alignment, and confidence.

Your program doesn’t need a reset.

It needs a foundation.

And the sooner you build it, the sooner you can finally grow.