Adjourning

        “Tuckman’s Stages” was based on research he conducted on team dynamics. He believed that these stages are inevitable in order for a team to grow to the point where they are functioning effectively together and delivering high quality results. The fifth stage “Adjourning,” is when the team is completing the current project. They will be joining other teams and moving on to other work in the future (Abundi, 2010).

When I consider, look back and equate which groups were hardest to leave, I immediately think of the group of professionals I worked with during my fifteen years as the early childhood special education teacher. Each year we had a ritual prior to the “IEP,” season. We would find a meeting place, either my classroom, a colleague’s house, or a meeting room at our office. We spent two to three days each year hashing out goals and objectives, and present levels for children we had been working with during the school year. Those children would be with us again the following year, so we reviewed their accomplishments and set goals for the next school year. What made these “group,” meetings so memorable as well as effective, is the fact that we were all on equal footing. No supervisor was present, we worked with one purpose in mind, and we worked hard and we had fun throughout the process. Leaving this group annually was often celebrated after the last IEP meeting was completed we went to a local restaurant and conversed about each of our own interpretations and reactions to the meetings.

This group of professionals was high performance kind of folks, and yes this group was hard to leave. Leaving the group wasn’t hard because we were so effective, leaving the group was hard because of the depth of the relationship we had with one another. We had built trust, and had great respect for each other, and in turn that’s what made it difficult to leave this group of professionals who became my good friends. 

Prior to my move across country, my good friend, called each of the members of this group, and we met at her house to enjoy one last evening together. We laughed, caught up and spent our time schmoozing. When the evening winded down, we said our good byes, and a few tears were shed.

I have been and worked with other groups of individuals, on varied levels, for different reasons, but I would have to say, this one was incredible.

When I look back at the experience of the Masters program, I must say I feel really good about the relationships that have been established with many of you. Though we had miles and a computer between us, I believe a wonderful connection has been established. And with that said, my hope is that when we go through commencement proceedings, my thought is that we can get together and meet in person. I am not sure which path each of you are embarking on, but know that I have gained great insight and knowledge from each of you. I so value that!

The process of adjourning provides a great sense of closure. It allows those professionals involved to reevaluate their shared efforts, celebrate their accomplishments and to try and communicate on a real personal level.

Millie

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