My high school graduating class was the hardest group that I had to leave. The majority of my class was together from elementary through high school, so we had a special bond that existed amongst us. We were a small class of about eighty-seven people because I grew up in a small town. So, throughout school we were a group that worked together toward accomplishing our goal of graduation. We grew together as young adults, as well as, having gone through the learning stages of development together.
I would say that high-performing groups are the hardest to leave behind because you started out individually, then, you were first introduced to each other and realized that you share a vision together. We learned how each person functioned within the group and we came together as a team taking on our roles with the designated responsibilities and achieved the intended goal.
Some rituals that we have experienced are we had a couple of class reunions. We communicate with each other now on facebook and we meet at home for homecoming games. Upon adjourning from my colleagues while working toward receiving my master’s degree I hope to exchange email addresses so that we can chat from time to time about how our career is going with our new accomplishment.
Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it let’s you know that you have completed the goal you set out to accomplish. You came together and did what was needed collectively. Now that the goal is accomplished it is time for us to go our separate ways and achieve our goals individually. It is a sad time for departing, but a happy time in the sense of accomplishment.
Reference
Abudi, G. (2010). The Five Stages of Team Development: A Case Study. Retrieved from
Allison, your community seems great and there to support education.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of school chums is remarkable here. Even in the youngest classes. 3-5 year olds they look out for each other. And as you mentioned, a school friend is a friend for life.
The principal of the company I worked with in GuangZhou was affected by the Cultural Revolution. While in middle school she was taken from her upper middle class family to work on a farm. She says to give the cows a rest. Books were also confiscated and formal schooling ceased, as there was no respect for professionals of any kind. She, however, hid her books away and kept up her studies so when the opportunity came she was ready to go on to university. However, this was not the case for most of her classmates. When she had opportunity to take over this company, she made space for her classmates. She schooled and trained them to be able to do jobs that they were unable to study for.
I thought that this was peculiar to children from this period. But keeping friends and allegiances to buddies from Kindergarten to adulthood is common and as you point out quite lovely.
Thanks for this reflection.
Allison,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about coming together and accomplishing a common goal. A high school reunion would be a great time for adjourning because at this point in life people are either thinking about what they want to do or are ready to pursue the next step in their lives. It is an ending to being a child, and the beginning to being an adult all happening so quickly. You have brought back some happy memories of my graduation as well. :)
Tina
Allison,
ReplyDeleteI have found out with some groups that I have established strong and cohesive relationships and will be difficult to leave. It is ironic how much relationships and interactions play into the equation. Sometimes, I believe these factors are more influential than the outcomes that the group experienced. I think the adjourning stage is important for all groups. This will give the group a time to say thank you for helping to achieve the goals the group set out to do and to wish each other good luck on the next phrase in their life.
Tracey
Hi Allison,
ReplyDeleteYou always bring a different, interesting and relavent perspective to our weekly topics and I have learned a lot from your posts! Being involved in such an evolving field can be challenging, but with people such as yourself involved, it makes it exciting to constantly learn new things. Good luck with the rest of the program!! :)