According to Abudi (2010), the fifth stage of team development is the adjourning state. It is during this stage that team members part ways and move off into different directions. After analyzing some of the groups that I have been involved in, I discovered that completing the adjourning phase in some groups were harder than others. I searched inside to determine why this might have occurred. I was surprised with the answer to the question. The reason that the adjourning stage was much more difficult to complete in some groups in others were not because of our level of performance or those with established norms. Instead, the adjourning stage was much more difficult to complete in groups that I have established a strong relationship and have developed a camaraderie with. Ironically, I remain friends with many of these team members today after leaving a group or organization.
Most of the groups that I participated in did not really have clear-cut closing rituals. It was just a modest “goodbye” and “good luck”. However, a few did end with a dinner, banquet, or some type of informal gathering. When completing the program, it is hoped that there will be some information gathering that can take place or a chat room so we can part ways more naturally. This is mostly because completing the adjourning stage properly will provide closure and allow individuals to remain in contact if they wish to.
References
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.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteMany of my groups ended with a dinner to celebrate or reflect on the progress we made and the competition of the project.
I agree the adjourning phase will provide closure, a clear cut end to the group you have been working closely with the past few months.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteAs our group at Walden comes closer to an end, I do hope we can have a proper closing. I would like to keep in touch with as many of my colleagues as possible. The adjourning stage is important because it will give us a time to close properly and keep in touch with each other.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI agree that some groups are much harder to leave due to the realationships that have been developed within the group. I think adjournment will provide the proper closure that is needed to say goodbye. It is hard to believe that our path to obtain our Master's is almost here before we are on our way to our specializations. Exciting times are ahead!
Mary, It is hard to think that we are near closure of our Master's program. I would like to keep in touch with everyone as much as possible. The adjourning stage is essential to a proper closing and a time to move into our future endeavors however, the memories and staying in contact is just as important. Hopefully we can do something that would bring us a happy ending.
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