ADJOURNING
The fifth stage of Gina Abudi’s (2010) Five
Stages of Team Development is “adjourning” – the project is finishing, and
the team members are moving in different direction. Abudi (2010) shares that as the team members are
saying good-bye, there is that they will continue to keep in touch with each other
as “they have become a very close knit group and there will be sadness at
separating and moving on to other projects independently.”
I
have found this description to be true.
Since 2014, I have attended a week-long Conscious Discipline Summer
Institute every summer. I was an
attendee in 2014 and 2015, and served as a session helper in 2016, 2017, and
2018. The connections that were
developed with some of the tablemates continue today. When learning and working together a nurture
bond, or kinship, is developed. By the
end of the week, we are no longer nine strangers that happen to sit together at
the same table, we have become a family.
Our assigned table leader, or session helper, has led us, nurtured our
development, and taught us team building skills. Since we come from different
cities, states, and countries with diverse backgrounds and cultures, acceptance
of diversity, open communication, and conflict management are elements of build
a cohesive table family.
The
Institutes in which I was a helper, I played several roles – member of the
Conscious Discipline® staff family, support team member, a table leader, and a breakout
group leader. The teams discover each other
(share personal information, goals, et al), develop team norms, identify the
roles and responsibilities of the members (i.e.: table jobs), and perform as one
to support each other’s learning and growth as an individual, family member,
and educator. As we become a team/family,
professional connections and friendships are developed, which makes saying
good-bye and going our separate ways difficult.
Because of technology (Facebook, email, text
messages, and cell phones), I maintain a connection with most of my table
family members from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 not to mention my fellow
Conscious Discipline associates, trainers, and helpers.
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| DJ Batiste and Dr. Becky Bailey - 2018 |
I have been pursuing my master’s in early
childhood through Walden University since the Spring of 2018. Even though my course changes every eight
weeks, my colleagues remain the same.
Because of this, I feel that I have built a connection with them. Whenever a course begins, I look forward to the
initial postings in the Class Café and the instructor’s posting of group
assignments. I tend to search for those familiar
names. I feel that we learn so much from
each other during our discussion and blog posts. The feedback that I receive assists me in understanding
the course work while expanding my knowledge and development.
Saying good-bye and adjourning at the end
of a project, activity, or adventure is
an essential phase of true team development.
Adjourning provides closure. In
other words, it closes one door while opening another.
References:
Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: a case
study. Retrieved June 12, 2019 from https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.php.
Conscious Discipline. (n.d.) Retrieved June
15, 2019 from https://consciousdiscipline.com/
It is a joy to read your blog. I have learned a lot from you. I agree with you saying goodbye it is hard, but it is part of our timeline. It is a new beginning to new stages, projects, or adventures.
ReplyDeleteI love how you summed up the adjourning process as it relates to closure. While closure brings uncertainty, it is important because it allows each group member to be recognized for their contributions and accomplishments. Closure also presents opportunities to celebrate the group's overall success.
ReplyDeleteSchneeka
Hello Donna,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thinking in regards to building a connection with my course members even though our classes change every eight weeks. Through our discussions and blog post I feel more connected to the course and programs. It delightful to observe who we all share the same passion for helping young children and families. At the end of our program it will although we may be going in different directions we can still be proud of accomplishing such a impactful goal.
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your inputs and feedbacks. You have been a great leader to me. I learned a lot from your posts. You have been a significant influenced in my journey. I wish the best success in your endeavors. I know you are going to be a great leader in the Early Childhood profession. My email is albabunnell@gmail.com
Donna,
ReplyDeleteHere we are---the process of adjourning. As we discussed in previous weeks, adjourning is not always easy. I would say that this process is indeed bitter-sweet. But before I go I would like to say thanks for your underlined leadership skills, your ability to motivate, and also means in which you expound on thoughts/ideas given in different forums. I have learned a lot from and with you and I'm looking forward to working with you in the near future.
Schneeka