Adjourning

            When you work in a group sometimes the hardest and best times are when you say good-bye and the project is over. I see it like a job you have been working at for years. It is bitter sweet. Groups “adjourn or disband when a project or task comes to an end” (O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin & Teven, 2015, p. 249.

            In the past when I have worked in a group, it was bitter sweet. I was glad it was over but am gonna miss the good things. I tend to be a bit of a control freak and want things to get done on time, etc. So as a result, I will take on more than is fair or I should as a result. And no one is gonna stop me because that means less they have to do. So really, I am hurting only myself. I am a people pleaser, so me to say no is hard. Even in my current job, I have been told that things happen to me because I allow them to. They are right, I don’t know any other way. I see it as, which battle to choose, this just isn’t one of them. And, there are worse things I could do or complain about.

            I think that groups where communication was hard, and expectations were not laid out ahead of time is easier to adjourn. Even if the expectations were laid out but not met, those groups in my opinion are not hard to leave. They do leave an impression though and are ones that you never forget but still glad that you will not be a part of it any more.

            While I enjoy working with others, but because I tend to move and leave so often, all groups really are bittersweet to me. However, the hardest pairing I have had is the one with my sister. I just recently lost her and now I am left with memories with her. At times we made a good team. In this particular case our pairing/grouping was just 2 people but when we got together we made suck an impact. I love and miss my sister a lot. When she would leave or I was the one leaving it was always hard to say goodbye. Not all groupings are work related.

            In the past when we had to have “termination rituals, or final get-togethers” (O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin & Teven, 2015, p. 249), they were pot lucks, parties, or dinners. It seems like if things have to come to an end, it is best with food. I am all for that.

            As we adjourn from this master’s degree program, I hope that all my colleagues would finally meet and walk across that stage to collect our diplomas with dignity and grace. It will be a great moment to relish in our accomplishments. I did not walk across the stage when I graduated with my bachelors’ so for me personally, it will be an extra special moment. Dinner afterwards would be great too. Some kind of celebration, I hope.

            I believe that adjourning is an important part of teamwork because it is what solidifies the process. It is what gives it closure. When we don’t get that and just walk away, it could leave uncomfortable voids. However, by having adjourning and participating in a termination ritual then you know the job is done and we are free to move on with no regrets or questions.

O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J.  (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.