Belbin’s theory believes that for a team to be cohesive individuals in a group need to fill the specific roles within the team. There are 9 specific roles within Belbin’s theory which are the plant, resource investigator, Co-ordinator, shaper, monitor evaluator, team worker, implementer, completer finisher and specialist.
Tuckman’s theory explains that as the team develops maturity and ability, relationships establish, and the leader changes leadership style. Beginning with a directing style, moving through coaching, then participating, finishing delegating and almost detached. At this point the team may produce a successor leader and the previous leader can move on to develop a new team.
The way in which we formed a cohesive team was by analysing what everyone within the group was best at doing and then from that allocating different individuals within the group to perform different roles. Different members of the group were more confident and successful performing different roles. After the group had allocated roles to the individuals the group then was able to work better together.
Plant – The plant is the idea maker in the group. This person is dominant and original in the group. They make radical approaches to the functioning of the team. Often the plant is concerned with the major issues rather than the smaller details.
Resource investigator – The resource investigator is the executive, the person who explores the opportunities and develops contacts. They are good for negotiators who probe others for information and support and pick up other’s ideas and then they develop them. They are characterised by sociability and enthusiasm are good at liaison work and exploring resources outside the group.
Co-ordinator – The coordinator is a person – oriented leader. This person is trusting, accepting, dominant and is also committed to the team’s goals and objectives. The co-ordinator us a positive thinker who approves of goal attainment, struggle and the efforts put in by others. They are someone who is tolerant enough always to listen to others but strong enough to reject the advice of others.
Shaper – The shaper is a task focused leader who has a high motivation to achieve and for them winning is the be all and end all. The shaper is committed completely to achieving goals and will shape others into achieving the aims of the team.
Monitor evaluator – The monitor evaluator is an intelligent person with a low need to achieve. When crucial decisions are needed to be made that is when they particularly contribute as they are very good at evaluating competition proposals. They often get involved in emotional arguments but do not get affected by them. They are extremely serious minded, slow to coming to a decision and take a large amount of pride in never being wrong.
Team worker – The team workers are helpful in the group trying to stop potential friction and helps individuals in their groups to use their skills as a positive. They are about team spirit and allow other members to contribute. They are specifically good at listening, helping with issues, coping with awkward individuals within the group and overall being part of the team rather than shining as an individual.
Implementer – The implementers are curious of the obligations externally and as a person they are disciplined and conscientious. They are tough minded individuals, trusting and are tolerant of others respecting traditions used in previous times. The Implementer is a practical member of the group and try to be realistic about what it achievable. They are very responsible members of the group and are happy to perform the jobs that others don’t want to do.
Complete finisher – The complete finisher is the person who finished the final smaller details. They show great attention to detail and aims to complete things thoroughly. They are extremely consistent in their work. With what they do they are not interested in the glamour of spectacular success.