Team Building

The fifth and last stage of team development is adjourning. This is the stage in which the team celebrates and reflects on the success of the project as well as gets the opportunity to say good-bye to one another. Throughout the times in which I had a chance to lead a team such as the “goody bags committee” for our mosque’s holiday celebration or the “decorating committee” for the annual fundraising banquet, the stage of adjourning has always been that moment when the event is over and we are all happy and proud of our success. After cleaning up, I would always take a moment to thank my team for all their hard work and support and jokingly say, “Till next year”.

I did, however; watch my husband go through all five stages of team development at his work. Omar, my husband, was an IT consultant and would work on various projects at various times. At one point, he worked on a project in Houston, Texas for three years. The stage of adjourning took many phases. Their final team meeting was at work after the end of the project to reflect and discuss the stages of the project. Later that evening, they celebrated their success with a nice dinner. At the restaurant, as a team leader, Omar addressed the contributions of each team member and handed each one a small gift. Omar and his team remained in touch via e-mails even after our move to California. When the news of his death reached his company in Texas, I received many cards of condolences from his team members. This was one of the most striking moments in my life, as it reflected a side of him that I rarely got to see as his wife, his leadership.

Saying good-bye is indeed the hardest stage in any relationship; a team relationship is no different. I anticipate that adjourning from the journey of my Master’s will be bitter sweet. While it is a celebration of a successful stage in my life, it is saying good-bye to a group that I have grown accustom to and have opened up and shared with many personal details that I’ve never shared before. The feeling is similar to that I felt when I completed my Associate degree. The team of professors I was blessed to work with was like a family to me. My only consolation was that I remained in touch with some of them and they have continued to empower and support me till this day.

Adjourning is, without a doubt, an important stage of any team relationship. It is essential because it brings closure. If the journey was productive, the team will get the appreciation it deserves and might remain in touch even after the thank you and good-byes. If the journey was not so fruitful, it is still needed to bring closure to the journey and a chance to move on with our lives.