Five Stages of Team Development

A group I can think of that I enjoyed working in but often times dreaded was the cohort or "block" that I worked in as an undergrad student.  You will find an inspiring and encouraging video at the end. ENJOY!

Good-bye in many languages is still good-bye.

We all became such close friends but managed to keep up with assignments and deadlines together.  We had one person who was a deadline reminder by calling, one person who asked questions, one person who presented when needed, etc.  There were about 6 of us that generally worked together as a group.  On occasion when we would have a need to work with others, or have times when everyone in the class would have to pool together.  Everyone was working toward the same goal and that was understanding of content in order to perform better in the classroom and of course ultimately the goal was graduation. We had clearly established "norms".   We had a final electronic portfolio project that was extremely difficult. It was the first year they were being implemented and no one knew what they needed, how to get it, or what to do with what they had. We did have a great group leader who remained strong and trustworthy with our thoughts that were not allows great.  As a group we were able to successful encourage each other, fuss when needed, and complete our projects.  We encouraged each other to the very end even when one person left for student teaching in Australia.  We all continued to keep in contact through our student teaching.  We met for dinner once a week and shared inspiring or troubling stories.  I think the work and time we put in, burning lots of midnight oil was well worth the cost of sleep.   Today we are still friends with some and stay in touch, but there are others that I'm not sure what they are doing now.   

In saying goodbye to this group we all had dinner together one last time and breakfast sometime during that week.  I think I ate more during my time spent with this group than I ever had.  We gave each other cards as graduation gifts and things of a sort.  Food seems to help to comfort and relieve stress.  I must admit we were definitively relieved, while maybe a few pounds heavier also.  We all had phone numbers, but when you are finished with a project in a group picking up the phone to call doesn't seem the same with every member.  The ones were a true friendship had been established still contacted, but others went on their way somewhere else.  There is one person that I became good friends with the other four or five went separate ways.   Upon graduating and seeing everyone, there were goodbyes with hugs, high fives, and lots of smiles.   

Much the same is taking place in the work I am doing now to complete my Master's degree at Walden University.  Everyone that I have worked with has provided support and encouragement.  The closeness as come in a different form as there is no face to face contact, but I feel like support groups have been formed all the same.  I feel that I will be wonder what others are doing, what there plans are, and if they are using the degree that we are currently working on.  I will send encouraging words to others and congratulatory remarks on the successful accomplishment of reaching this goal and earning a degree. 

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because we must acknowledge the work, time, and effort that has been put in by all members.   It also is what gives a feeling of relief to know that what goals what set forth have been met.  Without saying goodbye or acknowledging the success or failure depending on the group, there is a sense that something still needs to be done.  All groups do not reach a goal, or form norms and without acknowledging that it's not necessary some may continue to push on still expecting help from those that have broken their ties to the group.  

We are in the home stretch is just a little further, there is light at the end of this tunnel.  

I would like to share this as encouragement to us all. I also thought it was fitting for this assignment.