In a discussion about team building and collaboration, I am being asked if high performing groups are hard to leave? My answer is yes, because I think a high performing group is a well organized, group of people who have the same goal and/or objectives in mind. You may have spent many months or even years in this group and formed many positive relationships with colleagues who have gotten to get to know you and you understand them as well.
As a child living in a rural community, at the age of 9, I was allowed to join 4-H. 4-H is a national organization that teaches youth with hands on experiences in leadership and promote serving the community. 4-H meant a lot to me because I enjoyed going to the bi-monthly meetings and interacting with other kids in the group. It was my only social outlet and I looked forward to doing a different project and entering it at the county fair every July. At the end of every meeting we ended the night with the 4-H pledge. We stood up and placed our hands over our hearts and said: "I pledge my head for greater thinking, my heart for greater loyalty, my hands for better service and my health for better living for my community, my country and my world." I think it was a great self-esteem builder for me and I am sure others probably felt the same.
As I currently take classes at Walden University online, I connect with the same group of people by reading their blogs and comments in the discussion board. I know that I am connecting and bonding through the common goal of obtaining our degree. When it is over, I am truly going to miss the weekly connection but hope to stay in contact through Facebook. I really think it would be great if we could actually meet face to face and participate at graduation together. Positive team building and collaboration does so much more than help us reach the goal, it helps us form great friendships.
