Adjourning From A Team

There are many stages a team goes through as they conform and work together to achieve their goal.  Each phase may difficult and have its challenges.  Once the goal has been reached it is time for the team to move on and many times the team may dismantle.  This phase of team development may be the hardest of all.  This may happen because new relationships have been formed and while the goal was achieved there could be a bit of a let down as all the build up and hard work has come to an end.  I compare it to the build up of preparing for the holidays, graduations, and weddings where there is months of planning, preparation, excitement and then the day arrives and it is over so quickly.  Many times there is a sadness within the celebrations because it is over.  Many times these events are the center of our world for a long period of time and with a blink of an eye it is over.

 As I mentioned in the second discussion for this week, I recently left a job.  While my boss at the time demonstrated poor leadership as she had no trust and this caused issues throughout the work environment I had the bitter-sweet feeling when I left.  While the overall team in which included the boss was dysfunctional, the team ran quite effectively without her and with that I was sad.  I had a great working relationship and well as a true friendship with my co-workers.  We all shared the passion and the vision of providing the highest quality of services to children and families and we supported each other.  We also grew to know and respect each and became friends.  We all helped each other through many times, good and bad.  This group of women are truly amazing and I found it difficult to leave even though I was moving on to a wonderful opportunity.  So the group of us did go to dinner together to say good-bye.  However it was a good-bye from working together but not a good-bye as in staying in touch and meeting up from time to time and we did just that as we came together to celebrate one of the member's wedding.

As we embark on completing our Master's Degree in the near future I anticipate a bitter-sweet feeling.  As I will find it sweet to accomplish my degree and to put all the hours of work behind me.  It will be an adjustment of not having to do work as it part of my routine but I think  I will get over it rather quickly.   I find the bitter to be not being able to read the insight from my colleagues as they have provided such a wealth of knowledge and I have valued their insight.  As well as put their personal sides out there, they have been a big part of my life for a year and a half.  While I have not met them in person we have a connection and they have supported me throughout this journey. 

I think adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because a successful team in many ways becomes a family during the time of working together to achieve the goal and there is a need to say good-bye or have a closing celebration.    As with family you have your ups and downs however trusting relationships are able to navigate through both smooth and rough waters.  I think as teams adjourn it is necessary to have a ritual or celebration to knowledge all the work and success of the team or have time to reflect.  It is also important to have the opportunity to say good-bye and have closure.