According to O’Hair & Wiemann (2009), there are five stages of team development which consist of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The last stage can be difficult for many. As a military spouse, I have had to say good-bye to my husband too many times. As an educator, I say good-bye to colleagues, families, and students yearly and sometimes more than that.
I do not think high-performing groups are hard to leave because the journey is truly just beginning. I have said good-bye to my fellow classmates every two months, but I have reconnected with many of them throughout our master’s program. Graduation is closely approaching, and this adjournment is going to be bittersweet. We will be saying good-bye to each other, but the doors to our future are about to open so much wider! High performing groups like our class seem easier to adjourn.
I find that the hardest groups to leave consist of ones that seem like family. After living with my college roommates for so long, it was so hard for me to say good-bye. We all still keep in touch, but my heart truly ached unlike when I say good-bye to my classmates. I find it is harder to adjourn with groups whom I intimately know or have known for a long period of time.
Every group that I have been a part of has had some sort of closing ritual. In our classroom, we say good-bye to each other via our blog accounts. As a military wife, I say good-bye with tears, kisses, and hugs. As an educator, I say good-bye with a hug and a big smile. Most people typically adjourn with a celebratory dinner or just a simple thank-you and good-bye (O’Hair & Weimann, 2009).
Adjourning is an essential part of teamwork because it means that our work is done, and it is clearly time to move on. It is necessary because it is a time to reflect on our accomplishments as well as failures (O’Hair & Weimann, 2009). I like to think of it on a positive note which is that I rather leave while things are still good, but every good thing must come to an end.
Reference:
O’Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the groups that are hardest to leave are the ones that you feel closest too. Even if they are not high-performing or have similar norms, there is a deep bond that is sad to see go and makes the adjourning process harder than if the bond wasn't there.
I really liked how you pointed out that we often go through the adjourning process, I had not really thought about that! As teachers, we say goodbye to children and families at the end of every year; although it is sad it is part of the job and it's always bittersweet.
Thanks for sharing! :)
Hi Stacey,I think we have traveled this journey together through several courses. I have enjoyed your discussions and your blogs each time.I hope if I make it to graduation that I will get a chance to see you and the rest of our colleagues. good luck.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read your take on how it is not hard to leave high functioning groups, however I get it. High functioning groups give you a sense of accomplishment and actually could give you hope for the next group that you are in. Honestly, the high functioning groups that I have participated in have made it easier for me to participate in other groups. They have given me the ability to know what a high functioning group looks and feels like. Thanks for your take on that. It gave me a time to reflect.
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