Adjourning

This week we are continuing our look at teambuilding. Our question is as we have learned to be in groups what can be learned from high performing groups. When the group is high performing everybody can become independent and work independently. “The high performing team functions without oversight and them members to become independent” (Abudi, 2010). I have had many positive as well as some negative experiences when working in group projects at school and also in the work place. I think that many of the negative experiences that I had were because of a lack of communication or a misunderstanding that happened between members of the group.

I do believe that high-performing groups have been the hardest to leave for me. When we all work hard and in unity, we get to appreciate each individual and we get to appreciate them for their effort and dedication to the activity and to the group. But, I Also think that even though low-performing groups are a relief to leave, they always leave a sad feeling inside of me. I feel bad because things didn't go smoothly like I would have liked, especially if I was the main one involved in the conflict or disagreement. I don't like to feel that I failed myself or that I failed others.

During one summer, I had the opportunity to work on a project with an amazing group of individuals. After we turned in our group project, we went to the campus pub and ordered food and fine spirits and had a great time reminiscing about the weeks that we had spent together working with the children (practicum) and completing our final project.  I don't even want to think about adjourning with this great group of colleagues that I have met while working on my master's degree. Just thinking about it is making me emotional. I have learned so much from many of my colleagues. Their ideas, thoughts, and constructive advice and feedback has opened up my eyes to see things from a different perspective. Even though, I cannot literally hear them, I have learned to be a better listener and to be more aware of the messages that they were conveying when I read their posts. 

“When a group has to adjourn they will miss working with each other but have vowed to remain friends and keep in touch on a personal level” (Abudi, 2010). I do think that adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it brings closure. Like in any situation, It helps us to close that chapter and move. I also believe the graduation is how we adjourned. Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it means that have ended.

Reference:

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