Thinking back to all of the
different groups I have been involved in, I believe the hardest groups to leave
are the groups where I was able to establish close relationships which allowed
our group to be successful in our projects. Abudi (2011) explains the
adjourning stage to be when the group celebrates their success and says their
goodbyes while also reflecting on the successes of the group or the failures of
the group. I do not recall a time when a group I have been working with ever really
said goodbye. In college I worked with
many groups and we would move on but I never felt upset to leave that group; I
experienced the feeling of “on to the next” in terms of assignments or classes.
Once working in the education field, I came to the realization that some of the
groups I was involved in I really enjoyed because it gave me the opportunity to
work with others and communicate with others that I would not normally see on a
day to day basis. Most recently, I was working with a group of teachers in
relation to the “reading committee” at my school and when I was unable to join
that group again this year because of other obligations for a new group I felt
upset. I would miss the time spent with those teachers because I enjoyed the
different activities and events we planned so I was feeling upset that I would
not be a part of those events as I had been in the past.
Considering
how I will adjourn from the group of individuals I have been working with for
this master’s program, I feel will be bittersweet as we all move onto the next
stage in our lives. I will be proud of everyone, and miss the week to week
discussions as we have been able to get to know one another and learn from each
other. I think the adjourning stage of team building is important because it
allows for each individual to move on and take what they have learned and their
successes and apply them to another group. Always sticking with the same group
would limit what you are able to accomplish and would limit the number of
individuals you are able to work with. This process also helps one to
understand which groups they work best in and areas of possible improvements.
References
Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages
of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html
Brianna,
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on adjourning from a group was similar to mine, with the expectancy and how to feel about it. I think it is more difficult when the ending time is not necessarily determined by all group members. It is easier when all group members are equally ready to separate from each other. When it is unexpected, feelings can be harder to process.
Throughout our courses together, you have always brought thoughtful ideas and questions to the group. I have deepened my understandings about specific topics because of your insights and I think that is the types of interactions we will all miss. Our regular interactions through our online platforms has opened a window of opportunity to broaden our knowledge and experience in our field. I hope to keep in touch with many after our journey has come to a close at Walden!
-Crystal
Brianna,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post, and felt that I resonated with many of your points. I liked what you said at the end about how the adjourning stage is important because it allows you to join new organizations and work with new people. I had never thought of it that way! I have a hard time letting go of things, but knowing that there are new adventures down the road, makes me feel more comfortable with adjourning.
Tara
Brianna,
ReplyDeleteIt seems we have all had our experiences with the adjourning phase not being the same for us as others in the group. I feel our personalities have a lot to do with how we deal with this phase. You bring up a good point about the adjourning phase being a catalyst for us to move on and perhaps join new groups and to learn new things.
I enjoyed reading your insightful blog this week.
Trish
Brianna,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being such a great colleague!! It has been so nice going through this program with you and learning alongside you. I've enjoyed reading your posts and learning from them, and am excited to see what else we learn as we progress through the program. Thank you for always being open, kind, and supportive. :)
Best of luck!
Tara