Team Building and Collaboration Part 1

    During this week, we had an opportunity to discuss some team or group situations that we have been part of what kind of interactions or relations we experienced while being part of the group or once they have split.  During my career as a chemist, I had the opportunity to work with multiple groups including visiting scientists, students who worked in our lab, administrative professionals as well as individuals that I only communicated with through the internet because they were in other countries.  Because this was a work environment, these groups were all high performing with specific goals for why they were working there.  We all had our purpose, members felt safe sharing ideas, unified goals, each remember respected each other, as well as having support from the superiors.  (Fleming & Monda-Amaya, 2001)  It was always a relief to complete a project but sad to see a group separate.  We had many parties and cook-outs to celebrate when the projects were complete to say good-bye to the individuals that were leaving.  I think was so hard because we worked so cohesively together, had a mutual respect for one another, valued each other's opinions and had each embraced a personal commitment to the project we were working on.  (Laureate media, Walden University)
     I can hope that the individuals that I have met along the way in this Master's program that we will keep in touch.  I didn't think that being in an online program that you would actually develop friendships along the way with people in other places but as I found this year, many of my original classmates finished around the beginning of this class. I had a take an extended leave for personal reasons and was not able to keep up with the course work in addition to work and my family and a few of the members of the group thanked me for discussions and blog posts we had along the way and I have to say I was a little sad.  I know that may be surprising but it's true
      I think the adjourning stage is so important because it allows us to self-reflect not only our own behaviors but others as well.  It allows us to see why certain personalities compliment each other and how effective they can be in reaching towards a common goal as well as seeing how conflicting personalities can alter or even damage the outcome of a project.  It also gives us a chance to commend individuals on their accomplishments, their hard work, as well as their expertise and knowledge.  I don't know in life that we often take the time to compliment individuals for just being themselves and doing what they do.  It is nice to have an opportunity to celebrate an individuals contribution rather than just pointing out what may have been done wrong.

References

Fleming, J.L., & Monda-Amaya, L.E. (2001).  Process variables critical for learning team effectiveness.  Remedial and Special Education, 22(3), 158.

Laureate Education Inc., Walden University "Team Building Strategies" with Dr. Randi Wolfe