This week you read about the five stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. 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. Are high-performing groups hardest to leave? Groups with the clearest established norms? Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced? 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? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?
The hardest adjourning phase I've ever experienced was when I worked at the Center for Community and Family Services in the Los Angeles County Area. It was probably the toughest job I've ever had, but it was also the place where I felt I learned the most from. Although it was difficult to achieve trust and respect from my colleagues at that school or organization, I believe I was able to prove myself as a good asset to the faculty. I made close professional and personal relationship with a few good teachers and site directors. We were a team of highly motivated individuals, and all of us had the same vision and mission in life. Our passion was driven by intrinsic rewards; we thrived in seeing our students develop healthily and reach their fullest potential. We had the clearest established norms, and as time went by, we had to overcome numerous hardship together, which made our team even stronger.
In the year 2010, when the organization shut down due to the administration's mismanagement of funds, my team knew we were going to be transferred to different schools and some would also be laid off, or perhaps choose to part ways and start a new journey with a new company. My team decided to have one last gathering at a special restaurant, and there, we discussed our growth within the company; I spent 5 years there, while the others spent over 10 years. It was a bittersweet goodbye for all of us, but today, with the help of social networking websites, it feels as if we never left each other. Facebook, LinkedIn, personal emails, telephoning, have been my communication avenues to keep in touch with friends and ex-colleagues.
I imagine that I will adjourn from the group of colleagues I have formed while working on my master's degree in this program in yet another bittersweet goodbye. I know that with the knowledge we will obtain from the time spent here in Walden University will prepare us for success and better quality of life. It will be a steppingstone to reaching our ultimate dreams. I believe that each of us will leave a mark on other people's hearts, as I know some of my colleagues already have done through sharing their unique life stories with me. I would truly wish each one of my colleagues the best that life could give.
Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it gives everyone a chance to share their positive experience in the program or career, and wish each other well. It is also a time to further their relationship outside of work, and perhaps establish good professional contacts so you can utilize their position as your main reference in the future. Adjourning does not necessarily mean ending your relationship with your colleagues. Sometimes, it just means, "see you later" because as small as the world is, there is a great chance we may see each other again someday. This is also why it is best to always leave in good terms with the company and with your colleagues and take care of those relationships even after you have adjourned.
The hardest adjourning phase I've ever experienced was when I worked at the Center for Community and Family Services in the Los Angeles County Area. It was probably the toughest job I've ever had, but it was also the place where I felt I learned the most from. Although it was difficult to achieve trust and respect from my colleagues at that school or organization, I believe I was able to prove myself as a good asset to the faculty. I made close professional and personal relationship with a few good teachers and site directors. We were a team of highly motivated individuals, and all of us had the same vision and mission in life. Our passion was driven by intrinsic rewards; we thrived in seeing our students develop healthily and reach their fullest potential. We had the clearest established norms, and as time went by, we had to overcome numerous hardship together, which made our team even stronger.
In the year 2010, when the organization shut down due to the administration's mismanagement of funds, my team knew we were going to be transferred to different schools and some would also be laid off, or perhaps choose to part ways and start a new journey with a new company. My team decided to have one last gathering at a special restaurant, and there, we discussed our growth within the company; I spent 5 years there, while the others spent over 10 years. It was a bittersweet goodbye for all of us, but today, with the help of social networking websites, it feels as if we never left each other. Facebook, LinkedIn, personal emails, telephoning, have been my communication avenues to keep in touch with friends and ex-colleagues.
I imagine that I will adjourn from the group of colleagues I have formed while working on my master's degree in this program in yet another bittersweet goodbye. I know that with the knowledge we will obtain from the time spent here in Walden University will prepare us for success and better quality of life. It will be a steppingstone to reaching our ultimate dreams. I believe that each of us will leave a mark on other people's hearts, as I know some of my colleagues already have done through sharing their unique life stories with me. I would truly wish each one of my colleagues the best that life could give.
Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it gives everyone a chance to share their positive experience in the program or career, and wish each other well. It is also a time to further their relationship outside of work, and perhaps establish good professional contacts so you can utilize their position as your main reference in the future. Adjourning does not necessarily mean ending your relationship with your colleagues. Sometimes, it just means, "see you later" because as small as the world is, there is a great chance we may see each other again someday. This is also why it is best to always leave in good terms with the company and with your colleagues and take care of those relationships even after you have adjourned.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. It sounds as though your experience with your previous program was a difficult one and built some really strong bonds. It seems that those we are in the trenches with are often the most difficult to leave behind. I'm glad to hear that you found ways to end the group yet maintain the relationships. That speaks volumes not only about you, but about how you and your group valued one another.
Thank you for your thoughtful post,
Sarah