Blog Assignment-Week 6 - EDUC 6165

 Adjourning

In 2015 I moved to Norfolk, Virginia and started my career with the United States Navy as a civilian employee that works with children in the Child and Youth Program. Since 2016 I have been apart of 5 different teams at 5 different facilities. The last team that I was associated with was in Virginia Beach. I miss working with that team for many reasons. There were many aspects of the group that made it the hardest for me to say good-bye. I liked that each of our roles were clearly defined. Everyone on the team new exactly what their responsibilities were and how to execute them. I believe this has to do with the fact that we all had over 10 years of experience working with children. In addition, we all knew the policy and procedures of the program.

I do believe that high-performing groups are the hardest to leave. They are the hardest to leave because they were successful. While working at the facility in Virginia Beach, Virginia knowing that my director, parents, and children were happy with my performance and trusted my judgement made my work satisfying. In addition, having the support of my team made going to work enjoyable. As a group we were all able to provide a high performance.  Groups with the clearest established norms are the hardest to say good-bye to. According to The five stages of team development, “They respect each other's opinions and value their differences.” Abudi, 2010, pg. 2). At my previous location I appreciated that my opinions were respected and trusted. Often, I would need to create activities for teens in the program. I appreciated that my director, assistant director, and staff trusted my judgement.

Choosing to move to Italy and leave my previous location was a very hard decision for me. However, I do believe it was the best choice for me. While I am here in Italy, I will be able to receive the training I need to achieve a higher position. In addition, I will be able to focus on completing my master’s degree. There were a lot of problems in my personal life that I needed to escape from in Virginia. Leaving a high-performance team was a difficult choice but the best for me right now in my life.

A closing ritual that I typically experience each time leave a facility is a going away dinner. At this dinner everyone discusses the good and funny memories we share. Typically, at least one person from management will come to the dinner. In addition, some sort of award or plaque will be given to the departing person. I have always believed in picturing and planning for what I want in life. I like to set goals for myself and to truly believe that they are possible. The biggest adjourning from the group of a colleagues I have formed while working on my master’s degree in this program that I dream about all the time is our graduation ceremony. I hope to see names that I recognize. I would love to share a meal with someone that has shared this experience with me.

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because it allows for everyone to be recognized for their efforts within the group. Everyone should be celebrated for the time and effort they put into the group. Recognizing everyone’s efforts will provide people with motivation to continue to do go work on their next teamwork opportunity. It leaves people with a sense of accomplish and drive that is needed to be successful in life. It provides people with a feeling that they played an important role on the team, and they were needed for the success of the goal. In addition, I think it is important to conduct an after action when adjourning a group. This will allow for a discussion about what went well and what did not go well. Therefore, in the future when another group is tasked with the same goal they will have advice on how to conduct there group. 

 

References

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development. A case study: Retrieved from: https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/team-building/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.php