Belbin’s team roles

Belbin’s team role theory is a model of team behavior that identifies different types of roles that individuals tend to adopt in groups and teams. According to Belbin, effective teams are composed of a mix of different roles, and each role serves a specific function in the team.

Belbin identified nine distinct team roles:

1. Plant: Individuals with this role are creative problem-solvers who generate new ideas and solutions.
2. Resource Investigator: These individuals are outgoing and proactive, seeking out new resources and opportunities for the team.
3. Co-ordinator: This role involves organizing and coordinating the activities of the team, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently.
4. Shaper: Individuals with this role are driven and energetic, pushing the team to achieve its goals.
5. Monitor-Evaluator: These individuals are analytical and objective, evaluating the team’s progress and providing feedback.
6. Team Worker: This role involves supporting and cooperating with other team members, helping to build a positive team culture.
7. Implementer: Individuals with this role are practical and organized, turning ideas into action and implementing plans.
8. Completer-Finisher: These individuals are detail-oriented and thorough, ensuring that tasks are completed to a high standard.
9. Specialists: These individuals have unique knowledge or skills that are valuable to the team, and they focus on applying those skills to specific tasks.

Belbin’s theory suggests that the most effective teams are composed of individuals who possess a range of different team roles, and that team members should be aware of their own preferred roles and how they can contribute to the team’s success.