Week 6

Week 6

This week reading the five stages of team development motivated me to reflect upon my group own experiences. Thinking about the groups I have been in, ones that were high-performing groups were harder to leave.  I do feel that groups with the clearest established norms would also be hard to leave. These groups are normally high-performing groups due to goals and standards getting met. Thinking of a group that I have participated in which was hardest to leave makes me think of a group I haven’t actually left yet. This group is my teaching team. I feel I have a group and sub-group actually. The group in my entire building which is very close but my sub-group my kindergarten team is even closer. Our group has been together for several years now, so we have successfully worked through the different 5 stages of team development (forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning). Our group works effectively as a team. We are not focused on individual goals. We focus on the students, their needs, and each other’s. “The focus is on reaching the goal as a group. The team members have gotten to know each other, trust each other and rely on each other” (Abudi, 2010, para. 12). We have a relationship outside of work also which is great. We care about each other and their families. As team members, we have a respectful and trusting relationship with each other. “All members interact with each other equally creating an all-channel network” (O'Hair, 2015, p. 256). We do not have any role conflict in our group situation. “Role conflict arises in a group whenever expectations for a member’s behavior are incompatible (Baxter & Montgomery, 1996). Role conflict can make group communication profoundly challenging” (O'Hair, 2015, p. 260). I consider our group to be an effective, high-performing group, with established norms. This group will be a very difficult group to leave. “It is likely that any group that reached Stage 4: Performing will keep in touch with each other as they have become a very close-knit group and there will be sadness at separating and moving on to other projects independently” (Abudi, 2010, para. 16). Some closing rituals I have experienced in high-performing groups include recapping the set goals, having celebrations, and developing the next steps or goals that need to be reached. I have been in meeting such as my RTI student placement meetings which I discussed in my discussion 2 forum this week where these rituals have been very successful. Unfortunately, I feel my adjourning from the group of colleagues while working on my master’s degree may be different than others due to my taking time off in between classes. I have not been able to stay with a specific group of colleagues as most others have. Due to some personal situations, I have taken time off. I am hoping though that I can finish up the rest of my program with this group J I believe that adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork because this is a time where a group can celebrate their accomplishments and set the stage for positive future meetings. “The team leader should ensure that there is time for the team to celebrate the success of the project and capture best practices for future use” (Abudi, 2010, para. 15).

References

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

O'Hair, D. W. (2015). Real Communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.