ROLES IN GROUPS OR TEAMS

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Dr Meredith Belbin, a British researcher and management theorist, studied team-work for many years.

He defines a “team role” as “a tendency to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in a particular way" and named nine such team roles that underlie team success.

Please do keep in mind that:
Belbin's "team-roles" are based on observed behavior and interpersonal styles.While Belbin suggests that people tend to adopt a particular team-role, your behavior and interpersonal style within a team is to some extent dependent on the situation: It relates not only to your own natural working style, but also to your interrelationships with others, and the work being done.

You, and the people you work with, may behave and interact quite differently in different teams or when the membership or work of the team changes.

Also, please be aware that there are other approaches in use, some of which complement this model, some of which conflict with it. By all means use this approach as a guide, however do not put too much reliance on it, and temper any conclusions with common sense.


Belbin’s nine team roles are divided into 3 broad classifications:Action Oriented Roles,
People Oriented Roles and
Thought Oriented Roles.

Action Oriented Roles:
Shaper:
-challenges the team to improve
-is dynamic and usually extroverted
-enjoys stimulating others
-questions norms
-problem solver: sees obstacles as challenges
-ensures all possibilities are considered and that the team does not become complacent
-has the courage to push on when others feel like quitting
weaknesses:
-may be argumentative
-may offend people's feelings.

Implementer:
-gets things done
-turns the team's ideas and concepts into practical actions and plans
-typically conservative and disciplined
-works systematically and efficiently
-very well organized
-someone you can count on to get the job done

Weaknesses:
-may be inflexible and somewhat resistant to change

Completer-Finisher:
-ensures projects are completed thoroughly
-ensures there have been no errors or omissions
-pays attention to the smallest of details
-very concerned with deadlines ; pushes the team to make sure the job is completed on time
-orderly, anxious, conscientious perfectionist

Weaknesses:
-may worry unnecessarily
-finds it hard to delegate

People Oriented Roles
Coordinator
-the traditional team-leader or chairman
-guides the team to what they perceive are the objectives
-excellent listener
-naturally able to recognize the value of each team member
-calm and good-natured
-delegates tasks very effectively.

Weaknesses:
-may delegate too much personal responsibility
-may tend to be manipulative

Team Worker
-provides support
-makes sure the team is working together
-acts as negotiator within the team
-flexible, diplomatic, and perceptive
-popular and capable but prioritizes team cohesion and helping people getting along

Weaknesses:
-tendency to be indecisive
-may maintain uncommitted positions during discussions and decision-makingResource

Investigator
-innovative and curious
-explores available options, develops contacts, and negotiates for resources on behalf of the team -enthusiastic team member
-identifies and works with external stakeholders to help the team accomplish its objective
-outgoing and extroverted; others are often receptive to them and their ideas

Weaknesses:-may lose enthusiasm easily
-often overly optimistic

Thought Oriented Roles:
Plant
-creative innovator
-comes up with new ideas and approaches
-thrives on praise but doesn’t deal with criticism too well
-often introverted and prefers to work apart from the team

Weaknesses:
-can be impractical at times because of innate creativity
-may also be poor communicator
-tends to ignore given parameters and constraints

Monitor - Evaluator
-good at analyzing other peoples’ (generally Plants’) ideas
-shrewd and objective
-carefully weighs the pros and cons of all the options before coming to a decision
-critical thinker; very strategic in approach

Weaknesses:
-often perceived as detached or unemotional
-poor motivator who reacts to events rather than instigating them

Specialist
-has specialized knowledge that is needed to get the job done
-prides himself on skills and abilities
-works to maintain professional status
-job within the team is to be an expert in the area; commits fully to his field of expertise

Weaknesses:
-limited contribution
-preoccupation with technicalities at the expense of the bigger picture

The author, Dr. Ranee Kaur Banerjee, is Managing Partner at Expressions@Work, a training, consulting and mentoring studio for the development of communication and soft skills