Consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in which you have been involved. Think about which aspects of the groups made for the hardest good-bye.
The aspect of one particular group that made it hardest to say good-bye was a group that I participated in during undergrad. The reason it was hard to say goodbye because I had learned so much about these individuals during the forming of the group. At once entering the performing stage I saw who would step up under pressure and the person that actually held the group together. It is so wonderful to see how people interact and who the really are outside of the environment for which you are used to seeing them.
Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? I would agree that for me high-performing groups are hard to leave. However, on the other hand in a group where you see growth in individuals it makes the effort put forth in the group much more valuable.
Groups with the clearest established norms? This would be a group of individuals that have worked together before where all are aware of one another’s weaknesses and strengths.
Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? A group formed during my undergrad years. Why? I knew that I would no longer see those individuals; we would not have late nights in the library studying for exams and no more birthday and anniversary celebrations. What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? Christmas party, attending graduations and dinners afterwards and strong friendships developed. How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master’s degree in this program? I think that this would be somewhat difficult, but not as difficult because we only know each other through are introductions at the beginning of each course and through our views in different discussion assignments. The element that is missing is our one-on-one interaction in which I feel creates a stronger bond with your peers. This is the one thing that I miss from my undergrad years the one-on-one contact with my colleagues. Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork? This stage is important because you celebrate the victories and it is also an opportunity to discuss changes that could improve the event if it takes place consistently.
Carmen,
ReplyDeleteI like your post this week because you state that you were in groups in which individuals have grown throughout the process. I think we often forget how difficult it can be to join a group. Most of us have different styles of working and different temperaments. This is what makes successful groups so hard to achieve. However, seeing others rise up to the occasion is definetly something worthwhile. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Carmen, this was a great post. I agree that one on one interaction does create a strong bond. It is great to be apart of groups that are successful!
ReplyDeleteCarmen,
ReplyDeleteI did not think about my undergraduate years, however there were major teams that were hard for me to adjourn as well. When I lived in a dorm, there were a group of young ladies that I lived with that became a team for at least a year. We were like family and as we all moved into the next year, switching teams it was a challenge. Some of us stayed connected and others of us no longer are in touch. I have found in life that some teams are hard to adjourn and others are welcomed.