Personal experience with adjourning as a team/group

When considering the adjourning phase of developing a team we look at the end of the group’s mission or goal, the results.  The results that have turned out for the group is appeasing and is something they seem to be content with.  During the time that the group has spent together has been a time of building relationships with each other.  Celebrating the accomplishments of the group and their hard work on the mission of the group together.  The members of the group will continue to carry on a relationship after the completion of the group’s mission or goal, some relationships that will last for years and may cross paths of working together again in the future.  I can recall the last game of my travel softball team and how bittersweet it was.  Of course depending on the age, would depend if the player would come back the following year.  The age cut off for this team is 17-years-old, do when I turned 17, I can recall my season of playing ball.  I made sure to make the best of every game and practice, as many of the players and I had a very tight relationship that we still have today 20 years later.  Knowing I could no longer lay unless it was for an adult team was very hard, as this was a childhood love I had for several years.  After the completion of the games and tournament, our coaches held a party for us to celebrate our accomplishments and the players moving out of the league.  Many tears and laughter filled the group as they spoke of the season they had just completed.  “They will miss working with each other but have vowed to remain friends and keep in touch on a personal level- hopefully to work together soon” (Abudi, 2010, p.6). 

When I imagine how the adjourning will transpire after completion of my Masters, I can see myself following the members still on their blog, as they have enlightened me through many of their experiences and testimonies.  I feel it will be a bittersweet ending, but a celebration for mostly family and friends, as my current colleagues are all distant learners as well.  I will miss the insight and encouragement from my professors, as I sometimes question my skills and thoughts. 

Adjourning is essential to teamwork or group work for the simple fact this is the achievement of the group, the end of the task for the group.  If we decline or reframe from celebrating the accomplishments of the group or team.  If we do not praise individuals for their accomplishments, then what gives them praise for working so hard?  Self-satisfaction can be vital, but sometimes reinforcement is also necessary and should be offered by the leader and other members of the team or group.  As Randi Wolfe (2011) states, the team is like a puzzle piece fitting together to accomplish similar goals, therefore the rewards should also be the same for all that contribute. (Laureate Education, 2011).  As with any goal or mission the outcome is always vital and should be addressed, especially when hard work has contributed to its accomplishment.  Personally speaking I think everyone should hear good job when they have worked hard or that you are proud of their efforts.  Positive assurance is key for anyone to want to continue to work hard.      

Resources:

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

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Team building strategies [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu     

Resolving Personal Conflict

            Part of our assignment this week is to share a conflict in our professional or personal life.  Currently my professional life is limited as I am a dental assistant that fills in at different offices.  I deal with an array of people on those days, which includes several personalities.  Through this career choice, which allows me enough time to also complete my schoolwork, I usually do not give much attention to any of the concerns or conflicts present when I temp.  I may only visit that particular office once every several months, therefore I do not invest enough time to allow it to bother me. In my personal life my family unit has always been a struggle to me.  When I say struggle I refer to conflict.  My mother died at a young age, as my father raised three girls on his own as a young adult himself.  Of course my maternal grandmother took a huge step in helping take care of us, her promise to my mother.  Nevertheless after losing my grandmother it was hard and my sisters were all I seem to have family wise, as my father had remarried and moved on with his life.  My sisters and I of course disagreed growing up and conflict was obvious.  As we all grow and mature so does the methods of how we deal with conflict.  “Healthy debate serves a real purpose in that it helps people and groups make smarter decisions” (O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, & Teven, 2018, p 216).  With gained knowledge of my sisters views in life and the issues she faces in life, I am able to stay open to her opinions, even though I know they are inaccurate.  I learn to choose my battles as the say goes.  Productive conflict can help relationships grow stronger, such as now my sister is my best friend.  Growing up I never would have thought that would have occurred.

            Two strategies that I have learned about conflict that would be effective in my professional and personal life would be to collaborate if all possible.  In the matter of collaborating together everyone feels valued.  We can gain knowledge and experience from others by collaborating together.  Another strategy that I feel could be useful would be to understand everyone has different views, goals, and philosophies.  If the views of two people are completely opposite, we need to remember to collaborate or at least compromise.  Additionally we can always gain from having a clear perspective of cultural differences among each person and about those differences.  Implementing the Platinum or Golden Rule has never led anyone astray either, so this is a great asset to use in life.

            For any of my colleagues that may have siblings, have you found it easier to agree with your differences as you aged?  How many of you ignore the conflicts a sibling can create?  What have you found your best tools for conflict resolution to be?

Resource

O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J. (2018). Real communication: An introduction (4th. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.