How do you use the Belbin Team Roles model to improve team leadership?

1 What are the Belbin Team Roles?

Developed by Dr. Meredith Belbin, the Belbin Team Roles model is based on the researcher and consultant's study of team behavior and interactions in various settings. He found that the most successful teams had a balanced mix of nine roles, each with a distinct contribution and potential weakness. These roles include the Plant, the creative and innovative thinker; the Resource Investigator, the outgoing and enthusiastic networker; the Coordinator, the confident and calm leader; the Shaper, the dynamic and challenging motivator; the Monitor Evaluator, the logical and critical analyst; the Teamworker, the supportive and cooperative facilitator; the Implementer, the practical and disciplined doer; the Completer Finisher, the meticulous and conscientious perfectionist; and the Specialist, the knowledgeable and dedicated expert.

2 How to identify your Belbin Team Role?

To discover your Belbin Team Role, you can take a self-assessment questionnaire that measures your preferences and behaviors in relation to the nine roles. You can also ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, or clients, who can rate you on how well you perform each role. The results will show you your dominant, secondary, and least preferred roles, as well as your strengths and weaknesses as a team member. You can use this information to improve your self-awareness, communication, and development.

3 How to identify your team members' Belbin Team Roles?

To identify your team members' Belbin Team Roles, you can ask them to take the same self-assessment questionnaire and share their results with you. You can also observe their behavior and contributions in different situations, such as meetings, projects, or problem-solving. You can use this information to understand their perspectives, motivations, and needs, as well as to appreciate their diversity and value.

4 How to apply the Belbin Team Roles to improve team leadership?

To apply the Belbin Team Roles to improve team leadership, you can assess the current composition and balance of your team, based on the results of the self-assessment questionnaires and your observations. Then, adjust the allocation and distribution of tasks and responsibilities, based on the strengths and weaknesses of each team member and the requirements of each role. Additionally, enhance the communication and collaboration among your team members, and review and refine your team leadership style. Adapt your leadership style to suit the needs and preferences of your team members, and to leverage their roles and potential. Finally, seek opportunities to develop and empower your team members, and to foster a culture of trust and innovation.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?