Belbin’s Team Role Theory
Understanding the Different Roles in Belbin’s Team Role Theory
Plant
Creative, imaginative, free-thinking
Solves difficult problems
May ignore incidentals, too preoccupied to communicate effectively
Resource Investigator
Outgoing, enthusiastic, communicative
Explores opportunities, develops contacts
Might be overly optimistic, can lose interest once initial enthusiasm has passed
Co-ordinator
Mature, confident, identifies talent
Clarifies goals, delegates effectively
Can be seen as manipulative, might offload personal work
Shaper
Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure
Has the drive and courage to overcome obstacles
Can be prone to provocation, and may offend people's feelings
Monitor Evaluator
Sober, strategic and discerning
Sees all options and judges accurately
Sometimes lacks the drive and ability to inspire others
Teamworker
Cooperative, mild, perceptive and diplomatic
Listens and averts friction
Can be indecisive in crunch situations and tends to avoid confrontation
Implementer
Practical, reliable, efficient
Turns ideas into actions and organizes work that needs to be done
Can be somewhat inflexible and slow to respond to new possibilities
Completer Finisher
Painstaking, conscientious, anxious
Searches out errors, polishes and perfects
Can be inclined to worry unduly, and reluctant to delegate
Specialist
Dedicated, self-starting, committed
Provides knowledge and skills in rare supply
Can dwell on the technicalities and contribute on a narrow front only
Belbin's Team Role TheoryBelbin's theory describes different roles people can have in a team to make it work better.
Plant
Creative, imaginative individuals who solve complex problems but may neglect minor details.
Creative Problem-Solving
Generates innovative solutions and new ideas.
Free-Thinking
Approaches challenges unconventionally and thinks outside the box.
Communication Challenges
May struggle to convey ideas clearly due to preoccupation with thoughts.
Resource Investigator
Enthusiastic individuals who explore opportunities and network effectively.
Opportunity Exploration
Seeks new possibilities and expands the team’s horizons.
Networking Ability
Builds external contacts and brings information to the team.
Over-Optimism
Sometimes provides a too positive outlook, leading to unrealistic expectations.
Co-ordinator
Confident individuals who identify others' talents and set clear goals.
Talent Identification
Recognizes strengths within the team and utilizes them effectively.
Delegation Skills
Allocates tasks strategically to team members for optimal results.
Perceived Manipulation
May delegate personal tasks to others, leading to negative perceptions.
Shaper
Individuals who perform well under pressure and drive team progress.
Dynamic Leadership
Motivates the team and manages obstacles proactively.
Overcomes Challenges
Faces difficulties with courage and determination.
Provocative Tendencies
Risk of offending others with directness and confrontation.
Monitor Evaluator
Analytical thinkers who assess options and make well-judged decisions.
Strategic Analysis
Evaluates all possibilities with a sober perspective.
Judgement Accuracy
Makes decisions based on careful analysis and sound judgement.
Lack of Drive
May not inspire others due to a more detached and critical viewpoint.
Teamworker
Diplomatic players who listen, mediate, and avert team conflicts.
Averts Friction
Maintains harmony within the team through diplomacy.
Perceptive Listener
Pays attention to others’ concerns and suggestions.
Avoids Confrontation
Shies away from making contentious decisions and may appear indecisive.
Implementer
Practical organizers who turn ideas into structured tasks.
Efficient Planning
Converts conceptual ideas into actionable tasks.
Organizational Skills
Creates order and structure in team processes.
Inflexibility
Struggles with adapting to new ideas, preferring tried and tested methods.
Completer Finisher
Conscientious individuals who attention to detail and aim for perfection.
Error Detection
Focuses on catching and correcting errors before completion.
Perfectionism
Ensures tasks are completed to the highest standards.
Worry-Prone
Can worry excessively, impacting delegation and team trust.
Specialist
Knowledge-driven experts who offer in-depth expertise in a specific area.
In-depth Knowledge
Provides specialized skills and insights that are otherwise lacking.
Commitment to Specialism
Focuses on the technical aspects with great dedication.
Limited Contribution Scope
Might not contribute broadly due to a very focused area of expertise.