This week’s readings on team development was very interesting.
I know have another great source to share with my co-workers. The early head
start department at my job consists of four teachers, in which we consider ourselves
a team. When we are all on the same page we get along so great and we also are
more productive. However when we have our differences it gets pretty intense
and we have a very hard time getting things back on track. I have always felt
that we should have a lead teacher, somewhat of a group leader just to add a
formal sense of order within in the group. As when a group is forming it is important for the team leader to be very clear about
team goals and provide clear direction regarding the project. The team leader
should ensure that all of the members are involved in determining team roles
and responsibilities and should work with the team to help them establish how
they will work together ("team norms"). The team is dependent on the
team leader to guide them (Abudi 2010). In
our case our team leader would help us to achieve the common goal of running effective
classrooms and planning learning experiences based on the individual need of
each child.
I would say that out of all the teams that
I have been on during my life time leaving one that is job related like the one
I am on now has been the hardest. I guess it would fall in the category of
being a high performing group. I have had the pleasure of working at two
centers and when I left the first early head start team I was a part of it was
devastating. The last day I worked there
everyone was so sad that I was leaving, at the end of the day we had a little
going away party which ended in us almost crying when it was time to leave. I
was so emotional I didn’t even get the contact information from any of my team
member, however the good thing was that we all would still be working within
the same agency. As our text states that some groups
choose to celebrate their achievements with a final get-together, what Keyton
(1993) calls a termination ritual. Members may also opt to maintain friendships
even if they will no longer be working together (O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, Teven
p249 2015). Which is what has happened with my co-workers and, I have met some
of my best friends at my job. When I finish my master’s degree program and
adjourn from this elite group of people, the departure is going to be simple. I
have not formed any friendships since I have been in school, but I do look
forward to ending this journey by fellowshipping at graduation if I am able to
attend. From there I am sure we will go our own separate ways and continue
striving to accomplish our goals. Adjourning is an essential part of team work because
it allows teams members to reflect on the journey that they endured in order to
reach their goal. It also gives team members a chance to celebrate and decide
if they will keep in touch to work on other projects, it helps to give the
group closure to the experience that they have had with each other.
References
O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I.,
& Teven, J. (2015). Real communication (3rd.
ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
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
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Leah,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to leaving a great group and it be emotional. Change is hard. It is good to read that you are still in the same agency as everyone, so you are able to remain contact with them. I agree with you that it will not be as hard to adjourn with the students here since it is on-line based.
Ruthanne
Leah-
ReplyDeleteI think you made a great point in sharing that when a team of colleagues is working together, it can be difficult without a team leader facilitating. Although we may not want to be deemed, or answer to a "boss" this leader, supervisor, or whatever their title may be, can take ownership of key responsibilities that can be crucial to success of the group. Whether organizing a mission statement or goals, managing conflict, or keeping the group on task, these responsibilities can be difficult to be picked up upon without a leader.
Thank you for sharing this week!
Julie Ringle
Leah-
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe our work together for this course is coming to a close! I know I have learned a lot and I truly appreciate your role in my learning as well, through the support you have provided as a group member. I have enjoyed reading your thoughts and ideas on the discussion boards and blogs, and look forward to hopefully taking another class with you again in the future. I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on being one step closer to your degree!
Take care,
Julie Ringle
Leah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the wonderful thoughts you have shared these past 8 weeks. I have enjoyed reading your group discussions and blogs. You have gave me a different perspective to look at early childhood education. Good luck with you next class! We are almost there!! - Ruthanne