WEEK 6 -Adjourning

According to Abudi (2010), Adjourning is the final stage of team development that includes the opportunity to celebrate success, say goodbye, and wish each other luck.  Some of the groups that I have been part of meet for a few weeks or months to plan a specific event. This type of group is not difficult to leave because you depart with the understanding that you will be working with this group again within a few months.  Some of the more difficult departures from groups that I have been part of are those that have been more long-term.  Several years ago, I was a member of a cohort that was part of a pilot project that offered an online Infant-Toddler Certification program.  The cohort included 5 people who worked at the same agency that I did.  The group included people from various departments within the agency and people at various levels. While this was an on-line program, we met each week over lunch to discuss and share ideas.  There were many interesting and stimulating discussions. Each of us was very passionate about our jobs and about the field of early education.  While we were all relieved when the classes ended, it was difficult to see this group end. Despite several attempts, we found it impossible to continue our lunchtime meetings once the classes were done.  Despite the fact that there was much discord and animosity, it was also difficult to see the Early Reading First group end.  Like the study group, there were many opportunities for exciting discussions that fueled my passion.  This group also offered many opportunities for exploration, discovery and growth.

My experience has been that it is more difficult to leave high-performing groups and those with clearly established norms. Abudi (2010) states that norming occurs when members “respect each other’s opinions and value their differences” (para 8).  I have also found that it is difficult to leave a group in which I felt that I was given many opportunities to grow, learn and take on new responsibilities.  I have also found that the departure from a group leaving a group is sometimes related to the purpose of the group.  Some of the informal groups that tended to be more social are sometimes harder to leave than professional groups.  The relationships formed in the informal/social groups are sometimes stronger and more meaningful than professional relationships.  For most of the groups that I have been part of, there has been no special process for adjourning.  Lack of time and other commitments always seemed to prevent any celebration from taking place.  In retrospect, it would have been nice to have found a way to celebrate even if it was something very simple. 

I know that adjourning from the group of people who I have gotten to know as part of this program will be difficult.  I took 5 classes but then lost my job and had to quit for almost a year.  Saying goodbye to those I started this program with was difficult.  I do think, however that since this has been a virtual community, it will be easier than if we were working together in person.  Adjourning is an essential part of the team development process.  A team that has worked well together has developed strong and meaningful relationships that will make parting difficult. 

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