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| Tuckman Model by: |
Being part of an effective team is an
enriching experience that significantly contributes to an individual’s growth.
At the end of every positive group involvement, it is hard to let go and move
on as we say good-bye to the members with which we have formed bonds and
established comfortable routines. This stage is called the “Adjourning Stage”
(Abudi, 2010).
The adjourning stage provides the
participants with an opportunity to reflect on the overall performance of the
team. Hence, it is an important phase in which the team members are allowed to
assess their strengths and weaknesses, note the best practices, and consider
the ones that need to be further developed in future endeavors.
In considering the aspects of the
groups that are hardest to leave, I believe that it depends on the nature of the
task, the individuals involved, and the overall flow of the project.
For me, the group I that was hardest to
leave was the one I worked with for four years at the university. The
difficulty in adjourning was related to the relationship I have established
with the team members. We were 5 people, built strong bonds, and participated
in several projects, including presentations and volunteering missions at
exhibitions and fairs. Over time, we were able to build on each other’s
strengths and distributed the roles accordingly. From creative brainstorming to
visualizing the overall project, we were highly motivated and genuinely
dedicated to achieving our goals. Because the team had clear established norms,
it was very natural and undemanding to perform under these conditions. Before
we parted, we had a warm gathering in one of the team member’s house, during
which we recapitulated our highs and lows for the past four years. We exchanged
contact information and said our good-byes, and although everyone currently
lives in a different country, I am still in occasional contact with three of
the members (20 years later).
My group experiences at Walden have
been different than all the other team experiences I have been part of. Although
our exchanges have been limited to the online medium, I have been allowed the
chance to grow and learn from every group, and as I separated from the members
of each class, I sensed the sadness that Abudi (2010) described in her article.
I believe that adjourning from my Walden colleague group will involve capturing
lessons learned, as we share our hopes and goals for the future (Abudi, 2010).
**Interestingly,
as I was considering the teams that were hardest for me to leave, what kept
surfacing in my mind was the teams I have been part of as a Kindergarten
teacher. I started remembering how, as I
teamed up with my teacher aids, the school therapists, my supervisors, and
the families of my children, I have gone through an adjourning stage every
single year. While I used this stage to reflect on my achievements and
setbacks, I had not realized until now how significant it was for my professional
as well as my personal growth.
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.htm
Hi Reem,
ReplyDeleteI like the graphic that you added to the post...it was totally perfect, which is I guess why you picked it :) I really liked your last insight about teaching in a classroom and having to adjourn every year. I was a classroom teacher for about 8 years. During this week's reflections, I never thought about those years and how difficult it was for me to say goodbye at the end of the year. Sometimes it was just saying goodbye to the students, other times it was saying goodbye to other staff members or the school entirely, when I transferred. At the end of each school year, I found that I too, engaged in self-reflection and it helped me grow as a person and an educator. Thanks for the post
Sharon
Reem,
ReplyDeleteSo far, my experiences at Walden have also been positive. I have found all of my classmates to be positive and respectful.
Melissa
Reem,
ReplyDeleteYou provided great reflections throughout your post. I especially appreciate what you said at the end of your post with the asterisks about what you realized about the teams you have been a part of at work and how it is only now occurring to you the impact these teams had on you. I feel the same way.
Tara
Reem,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experiences. My experience with Walden have been great, and I have enjoyed working with everyone.
Jasmyn
Reem,
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that you have been able to keep in touch with your group members for over 20 years, despite being located in different countries. It speaks to the high level of effectiveness of your teamwork and the strong bonds you formed. I also appreciated your insight regarding how the nature of the project and the people you are working with impact what the adjourning stage looks like. It sounds as though the nature of this work allowed you to build strong relationships with your group members. With that type of camaraderie and trust, I'm sure it was difficult to say good-bye! Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Parker
As difficult as leaving can sometimes be, we have to remember that it is important for teams and projects to get new blood from time to time and it is important for us as professionals to step outside of our comfort zone to continue to grow in our field.
ReplyDelete~Lora