What I Learned From Belbin Team Roles Training
I did a course in Belbin Team Roles in October 2009. I found the course helped me define how I see myself and how others see me.
Dr. Meredith Belbin has a theory that there are 9 Team Roles in the Workplace. Simply put, some people are good at Task/Action Roles, others are Social/ Team Players and other people are Thinkers. The categories are broken down as follows: -
1. Action oriented people
Shapers - people who drive things on
Implementer - disciplined people are structured and practical
Completer Finisher - meticulous people who are often perfectionists
2. Social people
Resource Investigators - networkers who take advantage of opportunities
Co-Ordinators - orchestrators with good leadership ability
Team Workers - co-operative, adaptable, diplomats
3. Thinkers
Plant - a very creative person
Monitor Evaluator - a logical analytical person
Specialist - a person who is quite technical and has knowledge of one particular area
I had to do some preparatory work before I embarked on the 2 day course. I was asked what I expected to get out of the course and I answered that I would like to be able to assess different types of people working in teams. I also hoped to find out where I fit into teams in the workplace.
The first exercise was a Self Perception Inventory which contained about 70 multiple choice style questions which I tried to answer as accurately as possible. Then I had to get four people who know me in a work context to check (tick) descriptions on two list including double ticks where they thought that I had a particular quality in abundance. Then this information is fed into a computer and the results are given in the following format Pie Chart contrasting Self Perception with Observer Feedback, Personal Work Style (piechart), Counselling Report (contains advice about preferred Team Roles) and Character Profile.
I discovered that my primary Team Role is as Resource Investigator (Social) which means that I have an enquiring mind and I enjoy networking. My secondary capacity is as Method Evaluator (Thinker) a throwback to my legal training! I am often the person in a group who questions things and asks people to consider alternatives. This is valuable in a group context even though people do not always like it at the time. Finally I am a Completer Finisher (Action) in that I like to be accurate and conscientious and finish things that I start. This is sometimes easier said than done - a bit like taking on the challenge to write 100 articles for ezinearticles.com - sometimes it is hard to see the finishing line but I intend to get there.
The Belbin Team Roles Training helped to clarify a few things in my mind. I was pleased to discover that I am a Resource Investigator and I also have some Plant tendencies (creative) and it is often the combination of these characteristics that make a successful entrepreneur.
Now that I am well on the way to my goal as a Diversity Coach Trainer and Expert I think that my networking skills may well hold the key to working with and for others and that gives me hope for the future.
What | Learned | From | Belbin | Team | Roles | Training |