M1

M1

Dr Mereditch Belbin studied team work for many years and he mainly observed that people in teams tend to assume different roles within the team. He defined a team role as a tendency to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in a particular way and after named nine team roles identified by Belbin which are: The Plant, Resource Investigator, and the Co-ordinator, the Shaper, the Monitor Evaluator, and the Team worker, the Implementer, the Finisher and the Specialist.

My Team and Belbins Team Roles:

Belbins Team Roles Comparison

Iuliana I and Rabiol had the same role, I definitely think we shared similar characteristics. An example of characteristic I think we both demonstrated was that we were volunteering and would often offer to complete any tasks that needed to be completed. Another example of characteristic would be that we were both able to adapt to different situations complete a variety of different tasks, which is why I think we were identified as team workers. Due to similarity of characteristics I think me and Rabiol worked best together as a team as we were both very confident in helping each other out whilst completing various tasks, which meant we were able to complete the tasks much quicker and to a much better standard. This was because we were able to identify each other's mistakes or possible improvements as we always shared our work with each other and asked for second opinions from each other on any work either of us completed.

I worked best as an implementer with Mohammed as we both had a very similar approach towards our work. We both wanted to ensure that every task was completed to the best possible standard, even if it meant we had to go back to pieces of work to ensure they are perfect. This often meant it took a lot longer than it should have. This similarity in characteristics enabled us both to work well together as we would discuss our own work and other work produced by other team members to give advice on how to improve the work to ensure it was at the best possible standard.

I think me and Ahteshan worked well together as a team, as we often helped each other and offered advice to each other on our individual work to ensure the tasks were completed to the best of our abilities. I think this was because we were both identified as team workers, so we shared similar characteristics such as being able to adapt and use our skills in different situations to help ensure that tasks were being completed.

MohammedMohammed worked best as an implementer with me as we both had a very similar approach towards our work. We both wanted to ensure that every task was completed to the best possible standard, even if it meant we had to go back to pieces of work to ensure they are perfect. This often meant it took a lot longer than it should have. This similarity in characteristics enabled us both to work well together as we would discuss our own work and other work produced by other team members to give advice on how to improve the work to ensure it was at the best possible standard.

Mohammed worked best with Ahteshan as they both had an eye for detail as they ensured every task that was completed was to the best possible standard. This helped them get along and work with each other as they would discuss their opinions on how to improve certain pieces of work. For example when Ahteshan disagreed with the initial design of the tower, he discussed this with Mohammed who understood his points and therefore to avoid any disagreement decided to call a team vote to ensure the right decision was made for the tower. I think they worked well each other due to the fact they shared similar characteristics which were to ensure everything was completed to the highest of standard.

Mohamed and Rabiol : Mohammed had no problems working perfectly with Rabiol. They had no arguments and as a leader Mohammed knew how to make Rabiol do his best. On the other hand Rabiol was an excellent team worker, proving high qualities of cooperation and also coming up with fine new ideas to put into practice as a plant, sometimes astonishing us with his ingenuity.

AthashanI and Ahteshan worked well together as a team, as we often helped each other and offered advice to each other on our individual work to ensure the tasks were completed to the best of our abilities. I think this was because we were both identified as team workers, so we shared similar characteristics such as being able to adapt and use our skills in different situations to help ensure that tasks were being completed.

Mohammed worked best with Ahteshan as they both had an eye for detail as they ensured every task that was completed was to the best possible standard. This helped them get along and work with each other as they would discuss their opinions on how to improve certain pieces of work. For example when Ahteshan disagreed with the initial design of the tower, he discussed this with Mohammed who understood his points and therefore to avoid any disagreement decided to call a team vote to ensure the right decision was made for the tower. I think they worked well each other due to the fact they shared similar characteristics which were to ensure everything was completed to the highest of standard.

Robion and Atashan They worked very well together being the core of the team, the body and the hands to make things work. They were both very co operant as team workers and sometimes they worked as twin workers. However, when Athashan became a monitor-evaluator, things did not go so well, as Rabiol was already accustomed to him as a team worker. Anyway, no misunderstandings appeared and the team was not affected in anything.

RabiolI and Rabiol had the same role, I definitely think we shared similar characteristics. An example of characteristic I think we both demonstrated was that we were volunteering and would often offer to complete any tasks that needed to be completed. Another example of characteristic would be that we were both able to adapt to different situations complete a variety of different tasks, which is why I think we were identified as team workers. Due to similarity of characteristics I think me and Rabiol worked best together as a team as we were both very confident in helping each other out whilst completing various tasks, which meant we were able to complete the tasks much quicker and to a much better standard. This was because we were able to identify each other's mistakes or possible improvements as we always shared our work with each other and asked for second opinions from each other on any work either of us completed.

Rabion and Mohammed :

Mohammed was a determined leader and very often he supervised the team work,making suggestions or advising team members when need.He worked well with all members of the team and never arouse any conflict amongst us.

Rabion and Atashan :

They worked very well together being the core of the team, the body and the hands to make things work. they were both very co operant as team workers and sometimes they worked as twin workers. However, when Athashan became a monitor-evaluator, things did not go so well, as Rabiol was already accustomed to him as a team worker. Anyway, no misunderstandings appeared and the team was not affected in anything.

Action Oriented Roles:

Shaper:

Shapers are people who challenge the team to improve. They are dynamic and usually extroverted people who enjoy stimulating others, questioning norms, and finding the best approaches for solving problems. The Shaper is the one who shakes things up to make sure that all possibilities are considered and that the team does not become complacent.

Shapers often see obstacles as exciting challenges and they tend to have the courage to push on when others feel like quitting.

Their potential weaknesses may be that they're argumentative, and that they may offend people's feelings.

Implementer:

Implementers are the people who get things done. They turn the team's ideas and concepts into practical actions and plans. They are typically conservative, disciplined people who work systematically and efficiently and are very well organized. These are the people who you can count on to get the job done.

On the downside, Implementers may be inflexible and can be somewhat resistant to change.

Completer-Finisher:

Completer-Finishers are the people who see that projects are completed thoroughly. They ensure there have been no errors or omissions and they pay attention to the smallest of details. They are very concerned with deadlines and will push the team to make sure the job is completed on time. They are described as perfectionists who are orderly, conscientiousand anxious.

However, a Completer-Finisher may worry unnecessarily, and may find it hard to delegate.

People Oriented Roles:

Coordinator (CO):

Coordinators are the ones who take on the traditional team-leader role and have also been referred to as the chairmen. They guide the team to what they perceive are the objectives. They are often excellent listeners and they are naturally able to recognize the value that each team memberbrings to the table. They are calm and good-natured, and delegate tasks very effectively.

Their potential weaknesses are that they may delegate away too much personal responsibility, and may tend to be manipulative.

Team Worker:

Team Workers are the people who provide support and make sure that people within the team are working together effectively. These people fill the role of negotiators within the team and they are flexible, diplomaticand perceptive. These tend to be popular people who are very capable in their own right, but who prioritise team cohesion and helping people getalong.

Their weaknesses may be a tendency to be indecisive, and to maintain uncommitted positions during discussions and decision-making.

Resource Investigator:

Resource Investigators are innovative and curious. They explore available options, develop contacts, and negotiate for resources on behalf of the team. They are enthusiastic team members, who identify and work with external stakeholders to help the team accomplish its objective. They are outgoing and are often extroverted, meaning that others are often receptive to them and their ideas.

On the downside, they may lose enthusiasm quickly, and are often overly optimistic.

Thought Oriented Roles:Plant:

The Plant is the creative innovator who comes up with new ideas and approaches. They thrive on praise but criticism is especially hard for them to deal with. Plants are often introverted and prefer to work apart from the team. Because their ideas are so novel, they can be impractical at times. They may also be poor communicators and can tend to ignore given parameters and constraints.

Monitor-Evaluator:

Monitor-Evaluators are best at analyzing and evaluating ideas that other people (often Plants) come up with. These people are shrewd and objective, and they carefully weigh the pros and cons of all the options before coming to a decision.

Monitor-Evaluators are critical thinkers and very strategic in their approach. They are often perceived as detached or unemotional. Sometimes they are poor motivators who react to events rather than instigating them.

Specialist:

Specialists are people who have specialized knowledge that is needed to get the job done. They pride themselves on their skills and abilities, and they work to maintain their professional status. Their job within the team is to be an expert in the area, and they commit themselves fully to their field of expertise.

This may limit their contribution, and lead to a preoccupation with technicalities at the expense of the bigger picture.

After completing the Belbin test, I found out that I was to be a team worker and a resource investigator. Traditionally a team worker is known to have the characteristics of being confident. Traditionally a team worked has the characteristics to be confident and enthusiastic, however the characteristics of a research investigator undermine these characteristics as they are traditionally known to lose concentration easily. I felt I was confident as I was not hesitant to make contributions and offer suggestions on other team member's ideas to ensure the team chose the best ideas. I feel that I was also confident as I would often offer to complete any tasks that needed to be done and would get on with tasks. If I faced any challenges with the task I was completing, I felt confident to ask for advice from the other team members and the team leader himself which helped me complete the tasks at my best. As me and Rabiol had the same role, I definitely think we shared similar characteristics. An example of characteristic I think we both demonstrated was that we were volunteering and would often offer to complete any tasks that needed to be completed. Another example of characteristic would be that we were both able to adapt to different situations complete a variety of different tasks, which is why I think we were identified as team workers. Due to similarity of characteristics I think me and Rabiol worked best together as a team as we were both very confident in helping each other out whilst completing various tasks, which meant we were able to complete the tasks much quicker and to a much better standard. This was because we were able to identify each other's mistakes or possible improvements as we always shared our work with each other and asked for second opinions from each other on any work either of us completed.

Mohammed coordinator and team worker.Mohammed was the coordinator of our team but also a very good team worker. He was responsible to ensure that all team members were on track and working towards achieving the aims and objectives. He used his diverse skills to lead the team and ensure that all team members felt they was part of the team as he listened to every team members opinion on decisions or ideas he had. He also considered the pros and cons of any ideas he had before making a decision to ensure he doesn't make a mistake. An example of when Thomas used these characteristics was whilst making decisions as he was able to look at the pros and cons of each idea and make a good judgment quickly, so less time was wasted which made the team more efficient.

Ahteshan team worker, plant and monitor-evaluator.Ahteshan showed the characteristics of a team worker as he adapted and used his skills in different situations to complete any tasks which needed to be completed. When designing and constructing the tower, Robbie often came with new ideas as his role changed to a Plant but he also showed the characteristics of a Specialist as he had the knowledge required to get the job done to a professional standard. I think me and Ahteshan worked well together as a team, as we often helped each other and offered advice to each other on our individual work to ensure the tasks were completed to the best of our abilities. I think this was because we were both identified as team workers, so we shared similar characteristics such as being able to adapt and use our skills in different situations to help ensure that tasks were being completed.

I think Mohammed worked best with Ahteshan as they both had an eye for detail as they ensured every task that was completed was to the best possible standard. This helped them get along and work with each other as they would discuss their opinions on how to improve certain pieces of work. For example when Ahteshan disagreed with the initial design of the tower, he discussed this with Mohammed who understood his points and therefore to avoid any disagreement decided to call a team vote to ensure the right decision was made for the tower. I think they worked well each other due to the fact they shared similar characteristics which were to ensure everything was completed to the highest of standard. I think Ahteshan worked best with myself as we both shared similar characteristics, which were to remain calm and try and find a solution, when faced with challenges rather than panicking and wasting valuable time. This led to both of us communicating and working together when faced with any challenges as we both remained calm in these types of situations.Iuliana implementer

An example of how I used the characteristics of an implementer was having great organisation skills as implementers are traditionally known to have great organisational skills. A task where I used her organisational skills was when organising the equipment used for the construction of the tower. I think I worked best as an implementer with Mohammed as we both had a very similar approach towards our work. We both wanted to ensure that every task was completed to the best possible standard, even if it meant we had to go back to pieces of work to ensure they are perfect. This often meant it took a lot longer than it should have. This similarity in characteristics enabled us both to work well together as we would discuss our own work and other work produced by other team members to give advice on how to improve the work to ensure it was at the best possible standard.As a conclusion, I may say that all members of the team did well in performing their team roles, despite minor arguments and the outcome was a very high tower indeed.

References:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shaperhttp://www.yourdictionary.com/implementerhttp://www.teamopoly.com/cf.htmhttp://www.teamopoly.com/co.htmhttp://www.teamopoly.com/tw.htmhttp://www.teamopoly.com/ri.htmhttp://www.teamopoly.com/pl.htmhttp://www.teamopoly.com/sp.htmhttp://www.teamopoly.com/me.htm