When I think back to the groups that I have been apart of, some of them were harder to say goodbye to then others. They reason I think this is, is because I worked better with some groups then others. There was a sense of community, respect, and trust. These things we know are very important for an effective group. This groups also were also high-performing, because we all had a common goal and a common purpose for being in the group. The groups were it wasn’t hard to say goodbye, was because people were not doing there part, they didn’t care about the goal, and they were hard to trust.
One of the groups that I enjoyed being in and where it was hard to say goodbye was my group in the Elementary Program for Blocks. We all got along really well and they was a good sense of teamwork and an overall sense of friendship with them. When the time was coming to an end we reflected on what we learned and just shared some memories of our 16 weeks working together. After wards a bunch of us went to supper, and had a good time. I am still friends with this group and a lot of us are teachers now and we share stories all the time. “It is likely that any group that reached Stage 4: Performing will 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” (Abudi, 2010). I really like the fact that we reflected on what we had learned in the group, because there were sometimes when we all didn’t agree on something and we had to work it out.
I feel that this amazing group of colleagues that I have been working with in the Master’s program will be just as hard. I have learned so many things from all of them and they have helped me see things from different perspectives. Even though many of us are going in different directions with our career in Early Childhood, I hope that we can keep in touch after we adjourn from the group. I know that, “In the "adjourning" stage the project is coming to an end and the team members are moving off into different directions”(Abudi, 2010). I know we will celebrate and congratulate each other on the amazing achievement that we accomplished together. Adjourning is very important at the end because it gives you a chance to say goodbye to people who might even feel like family, because you have worked so closely together.
Resources:
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 Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu on August 8, 2014.
I can relate to much of your post. I agree that adjourning is important if for nothing else than ensuring that members get to feel that sense of closure, resolve any conflicts, offer congratulations and apologies and get that chance to reflect on their cumulative success and analyze any failures.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post! I feel adjourning is tip of the iceberg because you have bond to everlasting friendship with some and met new acquaintances with other. Furthermore you can look back from the very beginning stage and now look what you as a collective group has accomplished. And you get to celebrate your endeavors and praise each other’s work. I find a group a powerful resource people can use to succeed and change things that's needed. Working in unity is the solid foundation that's needed to complete a project. Therefore reading your post brings those things to my mind and this is how teamwork should work by flowing off top of one’s head.
Rachael
ReplyDeleteI agree that the adjourning stage is important but I also see it as a chance to spend time with those who will be moving on. Adjourning gives us a chance to close one chapter with your group but to also move on to the next one either with the same members of the group or form a new group of old and new members. There have been some groups that I could not wait to get away from but there may have come one really good friend that I may not have made if I had not been in that group.
Hello Rachael
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to be able to collaborate effectively and gain knowledge from other individuals. This builds a strong connection of relationships and partnerships to accomplish together a goal and purpose to help the children and their families to become successful in life.
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post this week, especially the end about our colleagues and our program. This experience has been a true pleasure and I have loved every moment of getting to know each of you. I think we should do as Laure mentioned in her blog this week and arrange a dinner or meeting of some sort at graduation weekend to meet in person, chat, and exchange information to stay in touch through the years. Our journey will not end when classes end and I think it is important to remain in touch with one another to guide each other through the journey as it continues. :)
Ashley Richards
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteAs our final week of this course progresses, I have taken some time to think about the courses we have experienced together through this journey thus far. I think we have both learned much from one another and grown greatly throughout this journey.I want to thank you for always being so passionate and willing to learn, share, question, and reflect on your posts, as well as others. You have helped me and many of our classmates to continue to push through the challenges and grow in this journey. I look forward to finally meeting you in person at the finish line, which is getting closer by the minute! I hope to see you and work with you again over our final few courses so we can continue to stay in touch! Best of luck to you. :)
Ashley Richards