Reflecting on the groups that I have been a part of over the years, I realize that I have met a lot of people and developed friendships with many people that I began working in a group with. Working in a close group involves developing trust and respect for each other. it can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. The more active a role I played in the groups the more difficult it was to say good-bye at the end. The more involved I am, the more devoted and meaningful the experience. Sometimes the groups close after a big event or accomplishment, meeting one more time to reflect on successes and areas for improvement. Sometimes groups just end as the work ends without any pat on the back as a whole, but personal reflection and celebration is still important. For example, I appreciate all of my colleagues in the early childhood studies program but our ending celebrations will probably be with personal family and friends. I am planning to do something special with my family that is relaxing!
The final stage of a group, adjourning, is important for many reasons. It is very important to reflect on your work in order to identify ways to improve int he future and remember to repeat things that worked well. It is also very important to say thank you and appreciate the people you work with.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment. Even though we are all scattered across the world, this program has brought us together in forums that have earned us all trust and respect for this goal and process. When we celebrate individually, we will be celebrating the group as well--along with all the good our education can do in the lives of young children and their families. You also raise an important point about an opportunity to say, "thank you". We owe it to ourselves and each other to honor our exchanges in the learning process, be grateful for the opportunity and support for our individual and collective goals, and provide closure in a way that sets us up to positively move on to the next team adventure. Just dropping out or walking away without any real acknowledgement of our commitment or challenges to our work feels empty and unsatisfying. Although my friends and family will be proud of me when I graduate, only my fellow students will truly understand what this accomplishment means and the real depths of it's value.
In a group or team there are only a few people who understand what you are going through and experiencing. After that is over and everyone has gone through the adjourning phase everyone parts ways. I think it is important, at least in some cases, to stay in touch with those in that group or team so that if you ever need advice in the future that person or persons will be there because they understand what you went through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that when you are part of a group you have found many friendships. I look forward to who is moving on to the same specialization that I am going to be a part of. I do also plan on celebrating with my family though I do not know what I will be doing.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more, when you work in a group, you form all sort of friendships, and you treat each of them with respect and trust. When it is time to say good-bye, it is a very hard time in your life. You want it to be a happy occasion but you are sad because you are leaving the people you have built that special bond with. Good Post!!