THE NINE TEAM ROLES OF A TEAM

 

CHARACTERISTICS AND THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE NINE TEAM ROLES.

Team Roles	Description	Strengths	Weaknesses
Completer Finisher (CF)	Anxious, conscientious, introvert, self-controlled, self-disciplined, submissive and worrisome.	Painstaking, conscientious, searches out errors and omissions, delivers on time.	Inclined to worry unduly and reluctant to relegate.
Implementer (IMP)	Conservative, controlled, disciplined, efficient, inflexible, methodical, sincere, stable and systematic.	Disciplined, reliable, conservative and efficient, turns ideas into practical actions.	Somewhat inflexible and slow to respond to new possibilities.
Team Worker (TW)	Extrovert, likeable, loyal, stable, submissive, supportive, unassertive, and uncompetitive.	Co-operative, mild, perceptive and diplomatic, listens, builds, averts friction, and calms the waters.	Indecisive in crunch situations.
Specialist (SP)	Expert, defensive, not interested in others, serious, self-disciplined, efficient.	Single-minded, self-starting, dedicated; provides knowledge and skills in rare supply.	Contributes on a narrow front and dwells on technicalities.
Monitor Evaluator (ME)	Dependable, fair-minded, introvert, low drive, opens to change, serious, stable and unambitious.	Sober, strategic and discerning, sees all options, judges accurately.	Lacks drive and ability to inspire others.
Co-ordinator (CO)	Dominant, trusting, extrovert, mature, positive, self-controlled, self-disciplined and stable.	Mature, confident, a good chairperson, clarifies goals, promotes decision making, delegates well.	Can be seen as manipulative and offloads personal work.
Resource Investigator (RI)	Diplomatic, dominant, enthusiastic, extrovert, flexible, inquisitive, optimistic, persuasive, positive, relaxed, social and stable.	Extrovert, communicative, explores opportunities, develops contacts.	Over-optimistic and loses interest after initial enthusiasm.
Plant (PL)	Dominant, imaginative, introvert, original, radical minded, trustful and uninhibited.	Creative, unorthodox, solves difficult problems.	Too preoccupied to communicate effectively.
Shaper (SH)	Abrasive, anxious, arrogant, competitive, dominant, edgy, emotional, extrovert, impatient, impulsive, outgoing and self-confident.	Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure, has drive and courage to overcome obstacles.	Prone to provocation and tend to offend people's feelings.

Source: Belbin (1981, 1993)

 

Shared from:

Aitor Aritzeta, Sabino Ayestaran, Stephen Swailes, (2005), "Team role preference and conflict management styles", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 16 Iss: 2 pp. 157 - 182