Team Building and Adjourning   

During this week’s assignment, we had the opportunity to learn much about the five stages of developing teams. The five stages presented are all considered critical progressions that help teams become successful. The stages consist of forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. My involvement as a member of a group has been in both high-performing and low performing groups each resulting in different experiences and outcomes. I have found that the high-performing group that I have been involved has been the most difficult to leave because of the impactful results to include both emotionally and productively. There is an interconnectedness that has been established within the group that produces a sense of accomplishment. The connection, trust and camaraderie built and experienced is rewarding. Groups with the clearest vision are most successful because they are all focused on the common goal. Even though challenges will occur, if you remember the “why” and what it will take to see the end results, it is what it is all about at the end of the day. Within my workplace, my staff and I always make the comment of saying, “let’s take one for the team”, meaning we all work together regardless of the circumstance. There is no big “I’s or little “you”.   

Some of the closing rituals that we have put together is that of a celebration in which we have gone out to eat and celebrate the accomplishment and finality of the end result. During this dinner, we get to discuss some of our successes and challenges that were part of the developing process of the task. This is always a good way to end because we let each other know how much we appreciate what each individual has brought to the table and or group during each phase.

In pondering on the question about how I will adjourn from my colleagues during this master’s journey, I hopefully will have the opportunity to share in the ceremonial practice of receiving our degree. I plan to attend the graduation ceremony and walk across the stage to receive my diploma.  As names are being called out, I will remember who was in my class. But, just in case this does not happen in this way, I plan to send words of sentiments to all of my colleagues. Just as we practice at the end of all our classes we have an opportunity to send out “well wishes”. I can also stay in touch with those that desire through email and the Walden community and or telephone contact. This is an important aspect of networking and keeping in touch with colleagues that can help us stay abreast of what’s going on in the early childhood field. The adjourning stage is an essential stage because it actually represents the ending of the task. You get to reminisce over the process. As with anything, there is always an ending. This helps members celebrate one another and appreciate their part in making the task successful. Teams move on to do better and bigger things.

                                     “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning” (Eccl 7:8)