Adjourning

Definition

Adjourning is the final stage of team development, where the group disbands after achieving its goals. This phase involves reflection on the team's accomplishments and individual contributions, as well as the emotional impact of ending a collaborative effort. As team members part ways, they often experience a sense of closure and may discuss lessons learned and future opportunities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adjourning occurs after a team has completed its tasks and reached its objectives, marking the end of their collaboration.
2. This phase can elicit mixed emotions among team members, including sadness from separation and pride in their achievements.
3. Team members often engage in discussions about their experiences and lessons learned during the project, which can enhance personal growth.
4. The adjourning phase is essential for providing closure, allowing team members to acknowledge their efforts and the dynamics they experienced together.
5. Celebrating accomplishments during this phase can foster positive relationships among members, which may benefit future collaborations.

Review Questions

• How does the adjourning stage contribute to the overall effectiveness of a team's development process?
  • The adjourning stage is crucial because it allows team members to reflect on their experiences and achievements. This reflection helps solidify the lessons learned throughout the project and fosters a sense of closure. By acknowledging their successes and discussing challenges faced, team members can carry valuable insights into future endeavors, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness as collaborators.
• Discuss the emotional implications of adjourning for team members and how it can affect future teamwork.
  • The emotional implications of adjourning can be significant, as team members may experience feelings of loss or sadness due to the end of their collaborative efforts. However, this phase also provides an opportunity for celebration and acknowledgment of individual contributions. These emotional experiences can shape how team members view future teamwork; positive memories can encourage them to collaborate again, while negative feelings might create reluctance to join new teams.
• Evaluate how different leadership styles can influence the adjourning process within a team.
  • Different leadership styles can have a profound impact on how the adjourning process unfolds. A supportive leader who facilitates discussions about achievements and encourages sharing personal reflections can create a more positive environment during this phase. In contrast, an authoritarian leader who fails to acknowledge contributions or rushes through the adjourning stage may leave team members feeling undervalued. By fostering open communication and creating a sense of community, leaders can help ensure that the adjourning phase strengthens relationships among team members and prepares them for future collaborations.

Related terms

Forming: The initial stage of team development where members come together, get to know each other, and establish ground rules.

Norming: The stage where team members begin to resolve conflicts, establish norms, and develop stronger relationships, leading to greater collaboration.

Performing: The stage where the team functions at its highest level, effectively working towards goals and demonstrating cohesion and productivity.