Belbin Team Roles in Athens - Discussing teamwork evolution, Team accountability and Personal Development

On Tuesday afternoon (18.10.22) I had the pleasure of organising an event to explain the Belbin methodology and how it can be used to understand teamwork dynamics towards beneficial results on organizational, team and individual level, at the British Residence in Athens. In such turbulent times for business, I had my reasons to do so.

First of all, I wanted to project the Belbin approach regarding teams, leadership and change management and speak about the need for customised performance appraisal systems (and questions) on departmental, team and individual level according to the job role and the team role.

The Human Resource function changes to become the organization's business partner and the HR department's decisions and initiatives (as well as their change management approach and maturity) are being evaluated (more than before) on strategic and operational level.

The need to understand, influence and drive the right behaviours across units and geographical regions is acute and the Belbin methodology offers a scientific approach to understand how recruitment and promotion choices might affect team and organisational results.

HR teams and consultants can use the Belbin methodology to understand possible risks but most importantly how these risks can be mitigated with the right training, support, coaching, personal development and performance appraisal practices.

I presented the key aspects of Belbin methodology and examples on team selection, team role profile insights for promotions and how 360 performance appraisals should be customised per job, role, skills and potential to reflect results and effort to develop teamwork and personal development skills.

Secondly, I wanted to thank Dr Lena Atzina, Katerina Moschou and Eftychia Livaniou in public for using the Belbin methodology and the collaboration we have amongst us. Each of them is a respected professional, known for their ethics and values and our collaboration (as alignment or chemistry) based on common principles, was felt and commended by our guests.

Thirdly, I wanted to offer a reply to all those that characterize the Belbin methodology (and other respected methodologies) as old, mainly because many tech companies start offering 360 profile services based on Belbin and other researchers work. Research based methodologies such as Belbin and other renown ones (that are included in all HR and Organisational Behaviour books) have depth and their accredited consultants are trained to support their clients with questions, approaches and solutions, beyond a profile with a descriptive content, let alone the ethical values of interpreting the profiles correctly and for the right reasons.?

The Belbin team that started with Dr Meredith Belbin is now on a new path with Jo Keeler on the lead as Managing Director and we wanted to send our best wishes and commitment to what stands central to us all. Respect for people, Appreciation of diversity, Humility in Personal Development, Responsibility when analysing issues and solutions and Empathy when supporting clients.

A big 'Thank you' to the British Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Mr Matthew Lodge. Mr Lodge welcomed us all and spoke about the British expertise regarding education in Greek.

A big thank you to the staff of the British Residence for attending on us too, Mrs Zoe Caparelli and Mrs Anna Papadopoulou (Residence event coordinators) and Ms Caterina Drossopoulou (Trade and Investment advisor) for minding our event.

I also want to thank our guests who added to the event with their insightful questions. Progress Through and its business partners do not publish photos of their guests.

The photo that follows, shows the leaflet we offered our guests with articles in English by Belbin Associates and in Greek, written by Anastasia, Lena, Eftychia and Katerina.

I could not end my news without thanking my business partners that joined in this event and made our guests' afternoon a memorable one. So, I want to thank Dr Lena Atzina, Katerina Moschou (Human2Human) and Eftychia Livaniou who trust the Belbin methodology and use it ethically, for being my business partners and for presenting their unique teamwork and leadership topics.

Dr Lena Atzina spoke about the challenges of project work, project roles and project teams. She explained how different roles are necessary at different project stages and how to develop agile teamwork using the Belbin team roles.

Katerina Moschou spoke about Empathetic Leadership and the challenges to understand the different viewpoints, interests and emotions. She also explained decision making through logic and emotions and provided examples using the Belbin team roles in decision making, managing and leading teams.

Eftychia Livaniou spoke about the need to teach teenagers about teamwork before they start working. She explained how drama in education techniques can help teenagers reflect on, describe and develop a team role understanding and the need for parents to nurture their children's skills, comprehending what we call 'allowable weaknesses'.

This event is the beginning of our coordinated effort to help teams and organizations understand their potential and reshape their work methods, style and pace in a rapidly changing environment.

Expect more articles, posts and events! A cordial good bye from us all!