(EDUC 6165-Communication) Team Building

Each time I have experienced working in a group we shared a goal and vision that we were trying to achieve. We would come together so we could share ideas and connect with one another on a regular basis. The article, “The Five Stages of Team Development: A Case Study” explained that every group who works together must go through five stages of team development in order for the team to develop to the point where they are working effectively together in order to produce high quality results (Abudi, 2010).  The five stages are; forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning (Abudi, 2010).  There have been times when I have worked with a team towards a shared goal where we worked long hours and months to accomplish our vision. What happens when all that hard work and team effort has come to an end? This is what Abudi referred to as the “adjourning” stage. How do you say good-bye to the people who you worked so closely and passionately with?

When I reflect on the times when I was working with a group and the project was wrapping up, it was hard knowing that this group who I had connected with on so many different levels would not be meeting in the same manner any longer. This is known as the “adjourning” stage where the project is coming to an end and the members of that team will be moving off into different directions (Abudi, 2010).  My experiences with this “adjourning” stage has been hard, as it has been difficult to say good-bye to a team who shared a common passion where ideas were communicated, discussions were held, and connections were made. Working in these groups created bonds and it was always difficult to say good-bye to a group who worked so closely together. My experience with closing rituals when a project came to an end would be going out together as a group to celebrate with a nice dinner and drinks. This was our reward for working together as a team and a way to give one another a “toast” for working so hard and achieving what we worked hard to accomplish.

When I think about my journey at Walden and the connections I have made with different people, I think that we go through the “adjourning” stage each time we complete a course. We thank one another for their support and we send one another off with hopes of continued success with the next course to come. Once we have completed all of our courses, I imagine that the way we will adjourn from the group will be at our graduation. This will enable us to formally say thank you to our colleagues and professors for all the support and wish one another continued success with whatever comes our way.

I look forward to reaching the “adjourning” stage at the end!!!! J  We can do it!!! 

Reference

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