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.
