Milestone 201- task 3(Belbin’s theory)
Belbin’s theory in regards to teamwork suggests that there are 9 roles within a team, some of these roles include the plant, resource investigator, shaper, co-ordinator, monitor evaluator and more, I will be going into greater detail on each role throughout this task. Each one of these roles is essential to a working team and according to Belbin, every one of these characters are required for concentrated effectiveness and productivity. For example, in my football club some of these roles and personalities are often used to successfully win our upcoming games.
Plant: The first team role to be identified was the plant; the role was called that because one such individual was “planted” in each team. They tended to be highly creative and good at solving problems in unconventional ways. For example, in my football team we do have such an individual, Raj, however he tends to solve problems in a more straightforward fashion rather than unconventional.
Monitor evaluator: One by one, the other Team Roles began to emerge. The Monitor Evaluator was needed to provide a logical eye, make unbiased judgements where required and to weigh up the team’s options in an unemotional, calm way. For example, in my football club the club captain makes tough decisions by drawing up a formation for who plays in the upcoming game and unemotionally telling people they aren’t playing.
Co-ordinators: Co-ordinators were needed to focus on the team’s objectives, draw out team members and delegate work appropriately. For example, in my football team, the club coach would have the most similar role to that of a co-ordinator simply because he tends to give the team objectives to pass more often to each other and play as a unit and draws out certain players in the team.
Resource investigator: When the team was at risk of becoming isolated and inwardly-focused, Resource Investigators provided inside knowledge on the opposition and made sure that the team’s idea would carry to the world outside the team. The closest role to Resource investigator in my football team would be the club captain when he discovers the formation and player knowledge of the opposing team and cautions certain players.
Implementers: Implementers were needed to plan a practical, workable strategy and carry it out as efficiently as possible. Once again, I feel that this particular would be suited to the coach because strategic and tactical play mostly derives from his expertise and knowledge.
Complete finishers: Completer Finishers were most effectively used at the end of a task, to “polish” and scrutinise the work for errors, subjecting it to the highest standards of quality control. The issue with this would be that within a football club someone like that is not needed or rather no polishing tidying is needed within the team.
Team workers: Team workers helped the team to gel, using their versatility to identify the work required and complete it on behalf of the team. I would probably say that each team member in my football club is a team worker who works to complete tasks on behalf of the team (e.g. bringing money to buy new kit)
Shaper: Challenging individuals, known as Shapers, provided the necessary drive to ensure that the team keeps moving and does not lose focus or momentum. E.g. the shaper in my football club would be Dloven because he’s the individual in the group that likes to re-motivate the team whenever we are faced with a loss.
Specialist: It was only after the initial research had been completed that the ninth Team Role, Specialist emerged. In the real world, the value of an individual with in-depth knowledge of a key area came to be recognised as yet another essential team contribution. For example, in my football club I feel that that specific individual is Andrew because he specialises in defending and during games he is an experienced player who even when under pressure, gives other players direction.
Although I didn’t complete the Belbin Test I was nominated as one of the trainers for the new club members, the task was to warm them by doing running exercises and afterwards we instructed them on training drills such as passing, ball control, set pieces etc. I felt that I showed good co-operation skills by interacting with them during exercises similar to that of Peter Jones when he motivates his employees at the telecom business.
During this task I felt that I was using my people skills extensively to make the new members feel more comfortable when playing, I believe I had these qualities when I talked in a friendly manner asking them personal questions about themselves comparable to that of Mark Zuckerberg when he befriends fellow workers making them more relaxed allowing for further inspiration.
Leadership skills was another fundamental quality I felt I showed when I was training the new members. When players were getting tired I felt I needed to give them a motivational boost by telling them they are doing well, and that the training is nearly over alike to that of Steve Jobs when giving motivational speeches to his staff.
Authoritarian style of leadership means that only one person is in charge of decision-making, it’s similar to a dictatorship in that no one has a say and must obey direct orders. In my team I feel that our coach sometimes displays this type of leadership style which can be effective to getting certain drills done.
Democratic style of leadership is often considered to being one of best styles of leadership; it involves listening to the views of your teammates before you make the final decision, this allows team members to input their ideas and maybe influence the decision, although the final decision lies with the team leader. This is sometimes implicated when deciding the formation and subs in my team.
Participative style of leadership involves allowing other team members to participate in the decision-making process, whereby They will give responsibility for certain tasks and encourage team members to come up with suggestions for making changes and give them an input into decision making. If implemented into my football club, I would say that this is done when the team captain wants an insight from fellow students on whether a separate team training session is required for new-comers or whether we should stick with the same routine. The older more experienced players are then delegated responsibility on this and they receive a small group pf players and teach them the method separately.