When I reflect over a group
that made for the hardest good-bye was working on my family reunion. I was able to work together with 4
generations in my family. At the
end of the last event of the week we all were introduce as the committee
group. The group consisted of 7
people representing 7 cities. Each
of us took turns reflecting over the hard work and the happiest we all
experienced by being a host family.
Afterwards we all hugged each other to signal the respect and love we
all felt for one another to end a 2-year journey. I personally believe the hardest part for me was listening
as each of my family members started to share different moments of the past
2-years when working hard putting together our reunion. This made me realize time spent and shared
and that we would not be talking to one another at the same magnitude as we had
during the last 2-years.
The group I remember that
had the clearest established norms was a class I was taking during the time I
was working on my undergraduate degree.
This group was able to settle on norms with the entire agreement from
the group and was able to stick to those norms throughout the semester. I believe the leadership from the
instructor had a lot to do with it.
The instructor of the class I remember gave us such a feeling of why we
were there and made me personally feel if we did nothing else we will respect
one another. I loved his attitude
because I knew this meant we would get a lot done in class.
The group I had the hardest
time leaving was the family reunion group. I had formed such deep relations with my family members from
out of town and there was such deep history in each and every one of them. We had formed such a bound and
relationship as if we had grown up together.
One closing ritual I have
experienced with my camping buddies was on the last morning of camp we all
drink champion and orange juice before breaking camp.
I believe I will adjourn
from my group of colleagues by using good wishes to each one of them on such a
hard fought journey over the last years in the program. I will try and recall funny and hard
times we have experienced and assure each one of them how worth it was to hang
in there until the very end. I
believe adjourning is essential stage of teamwork because it gives you a chance
to reflect and complement one another and say things you may have forgotten to
say during the time working on your group project.
Audrey,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a lot of fun planning that family reunion. Hopefully you are all continuing to stay in touch regularly. It can be difficult in groups to detach from them following a project or graduation. I know when I received my undergrad it was difficult afterwards. We all went out every Friday night to the same restaurant where a friend worked. A couple of years ago that restaurant closed and it was like something was lost. Although we hadn't gone there in years it was there if we wanted too, but not anymore. I do think good byes are hard but when you can wish someone well it feels so good. And to know something has been accomplished, somehow it makes things a little better.
Ginny
Audrey:
ReplyDeleteIt's neat that you had such a great meeting with family. Sometimes family meetings can become more stressful then professional meetings :). I'm sure you were sad when it was over with! Thanks for sharing a great post!!!
Audrey your post gives me hope. I have always been the family organizer and I have pretty much done everything on my own. Several family members expressed the desire to have a family reunion and they have actually offered to assist, which would be essential for such an undertaking. I am kinda leery about going into this project but thinking about it as you said, the generations coming together gives me new ideas as to the possibilities. I hope that my group experience leaves me wanting me more. As always thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAudrey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about your group experience in planning your family reunion. I imagine that the task was rewarding on so many levels. I can see why that would be the hardest group for you to leave. Hopefully, your family will get to experience another family reunion in the near future!
Thanks for sharing!
Jamie
Camping is a great way for team building. I have experienced this same training. Thanks for providing further insight on team building.
ReplyDeleteJanille