Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork as it allows
the team members to reflect on accomplishments and failures (O'Hair &
Wiemann, 2012). Further, the adjourning stage provides the opportunity for team
members to decide if they will continue as a group and take on different
project or if they will dissolve the group (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012). As I reflect on the groups that I have been a
part of I can honestly say that when the time is over that we will meet in a
group is often sad. A group experience
that comes to mind is when I was taking an undergraduate class and our class
was broken into groups for the entire semester.
In these groups we worked together to complete mini skits that we
performed for the class. Our group
worked well together and even met outside of class time in order to work in our
groups. When the semester came to an end
we had a big get together celebration as we knew we would be moving on to other
classes and the group would officially dissolve (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012). This was hard as we had all formed and
developed friendships as we worked together and we knew more than likely we
would not see each other on a regular basis.
We would have to independently contact each other in order to be
together. Even though we no longer work
together on class studies many of us formed friendship and will occasionally
meet up for dinner (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012). I imagine that I will adjourn from
the colleagues that I have formed by wishing them the best of luck in their
future endeavors. I also believe that I
will be able to keep in contact with my colleagues through email and other
online sources.
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An
introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Randee,
ReplyDeleteConsidering the groups that you were involved with, do you compare the old groups to new groups?
I find myself doing that often and although the dynamics of each are completely different from one another, it intrigues my interest considering personality differences and other differences.
The adjourning phase is one of the hardest phases in the steps of team development and with the goodbyes, it can make it more difficult to adjust.
Great post!
Randee,
ReplyDeleteWorking with a group forms relationships. It is hard to adjourn from a great group because of the bond that was created. Knowing that you will not be communicating with them on a regular basis can be emotional. I call it a "bitter-sweet" situation, your happy that the vision is accomplished but sad to say good bye.