Adjourning

I do find it difficult to adjourn from a high-performing group with clear established norms.  One of the hardest groups I had to leave included the colleagues I made during obtaining my bacholor's degree.  Since we were in a cohort we had taken all of the same courses together from the first course.  Completing our bacholor's degree took two and a half years.  Over this period of time we were able to get to know one another on a personal and professional level.  We shared ideas, views, concerns, and resources with one another.  We also supported one another and helped each other.  It was hard to leave this group because we would be ending our journey together and moving on to our own individual journeys.  Our closing ritual included us all getting together and celebrating our success.  We also all get together for lunch at least twice a year.  I have also became close friends with a few my colleagues from this group.  We keep in contact frequently on a personal and professional basis. 

I feel that adjourning from my colleagues I have made while I was working on my master's will also be difficult and sad.  It will be the end of our journey together and we will all be moving on to our own individual journeys.  Having our blogs will help us stay in touch and continue to support and share ideas. 

Adjourning is an essential stage of team development.  Adjourning allows team members to celebrate their success and provides an opportunity for team members to say their good-byes and wish each other luck on all future efforts (Abudi, 2010).

References

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved on February 16, 2013, from: http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html