USING BELBIN IN THE REAL WORLD - A CHECKLIST OF USEFUL CONVERSATION POINTS
Taking Belbin from theory into useful practice can be as simple as using the below pointers to match behavioural insights to real world projects and outcomes.
PRE-PROJECT AND DURING THE PROJECT
What does our personalised ‘Team Circle’ look like? Who is ‘in the room’? Individual profiles and team reports. Strengths and weaknesses. Who is likely to dominate and do most of the talking? Where is the critical thinker? To whom should you turn to for ideas? Who should chair? etc etc.
Are there too many or too few roles in any segments (does this matter or not?). Are ‘Team Role Sacrifices’ or strategies needed to deal with deficits? Can someone make a Team Role Sacrifice?
Any potential for conflict (or avoidance of necessary conflict)?
What discipline / awareness is needed to deal with any surpluses?
What is the aim of the project? What is the ‘why?’ of this team?
What sort of work is needed? Who is best suited to what types of work? If pairings or sub-teams are needed, who may combine well as ‘working relationships’?
What are the rules? What are the methods of communication?
Can we ‘depersonalise’ conversations when needed to identify how strengths and weaknesses are manifesting?
END OF PROJECT DE-BRIEF:
De-brief on the work, on the objectives, and on Belbin contribution.
What did they learn?
Were they given the right work?
What would they do differently next time?
How did a lack of certain Team Roles, or too many, affect the team?
How were conflicts resolved? Were they resolved?
If someone made a Team Role sacrifice, ensure they get the recognition they deserve, and ask whether they have they discovered a new strength.
And of course, remember to take time to celebrate your success!
To learn more about how to make Belbin stick and become a useful enabler for team performance, feel free to get in touch with us.
BELBIN AUSTRALIA
T - 1300 731 381
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