The ManicaPost
Kudakwashe Melisa Kapesa —
Last time we talked about fighting at the workplace, and the question was, should one be made to pack their bags after a “small” fight? We also talked about what to do after the fight because you meet your co-worker on a daily basis.Email me your feedback at [email protected] or leave your written feedback at Manica Post building.
Today our focus is on what role do you play in the organisation that you are in? Are you a “useful tool” or are you just taking up space and increasing company costs. Moreover do you have what it takes to be a good team member? Which role would you feel most comfortable in when working with others?
Although there are a variety of roles one can adopt when working in an organisation, each role is just as vital as another role. In addition, each member must possess certain competencies, such as good communication skills and the ability to monitor progress. Today we will talk about Belbin ’s team role theory.
Dr Meredith Belbin studied team-work for many years, and he famously observed that people in teams tend to assume different “team roles.” He defined a team role as “a tendency to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in a particular way” and named nine such team roles that underlie team success (Belbin Work 2008).
Belbian believed that for an organisation to flourish the employees should have one of each of the roles which I will talk about. Firstly take the below short test to determine whether or not you are team worker in your organization I prefer discussing ideas and solutions with other people rather than thinking them through on my own? YE/NO
When solving difficult problems, I find that I am much more motivated to try harder when working in a group compared to on my own. YES NO Working with people generally makes me feel highly motivated YES/NO. I think I do not do my best work when I work individually as compared to working in a group YES/NO
You and a co worker are at a standstill — you want to accomplish a task one way and he/she wants to use a different technique. You can’t seem to agree on what to do. You would rather ignore their way and do it the way you think is best YES/NO
If you answered yes to 3-5 of the questions above, congrats you are a good team worker.
TEAMWORKER
A team worker helps the team to gel, using their versatility to identify the work required and complete it on behalf of the team. Your Strengths: Co-operative, perceptive and diplomatic. Listens and averts friction. Your Allowable weaknesses: Can be indecisive in difficult situations and you tend to avoid confrontation. You might be hesitant to make unpopular decisions. However apart from being a team worker, Belbin talks about different roles individuals can take up in an organisation.
ARE YOU A PLANT
Not in the literal sense but metaphorically. A person who holds the plant role holds the following characteristics They tend to be highly creative and good at solving problems in unconventional ways. Their Strengths: Creative, imaginative, free-thinking, generates ideas and solves difficult problems.
Their allowable weaknesses: Might ignore incidentals, and may be too preoccupied to communicate effectively. They could be absent minded or forgetful
Another role is that of the MONITOR EVALUATOR
These individuals provide a logical eye, they make impartial judgements where required and weigh up the team’s options in a dispassionate way. These individuals are usually good leaders. Their Strengths: Sober, strategic and discerning. They see all options and judge accurately. Their Allowable weaknesses: Sometimes they lack the drive and ability to inspire others and can be overly critical. They could be slow to come to decisions.
SPECIALIST
These bring in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team. Their Strengths: Single-minded, self-starting and dedicated. They provide specialist knowledge and skills. Allowable weaknesses: They tend to contribute on a narrow front and can dwell on the technicalities. hey overload the group with information.
SHAPER
They provide the necessary drive to ensure that the team keeps moving and does not lose focus or momentum. Their Strengths: Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure. Has the drive and courage to overcome obstacles. Their Allowable weaknesses: Can be prone to provocation, and may sometimes offend people’s feelings. They could risk becoming aggressive and bad-humoured in their attempts to get things done.
IMPLEMENTER
These are able to plan a workable strategy and carry it out as efficiently as possible.
Their Strengths: Practical, reliable, efficient. Turns ideas into actions and organises work that needs to be done. Their Allowable weaknesses: Can be a bit inflexible and slow to respond to new possibilities. They might be slow to relinquish their plans in favour of positive changes.
COMPLETER/ FINISHER
These people are most effectively used at the end of tasks to polish and scrutinise the work for errors, subjecting it to the highest standards of quality control. Their Strengths: Painstaking, conscientious, anxious. Searches out errors. Polishes and perfects.
Their Allowable weaknesses: Can be inclined to worry unduly, and reluctant to delegate. They could be accused of taking their perfectionism to extremes.
Kudakwashe Melisa Kapesa is currently a Final year student at Africa University studying Psychology. Email her at [email protected] or leave written feedback at Manica Post Building.
