Belbin Team Roles

A Team Role is defined as "a tendency to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in a particular way." Belbin have identified nine different behaviours that individuals display in the workplace. We call these the nine Belbin Team Roles. For a team to be successful it needs to have access to each of the 9 Belbin Team Roles. Typically, most people have two or three Team Roles that they are most comfortable with; a few others that they can manage to cover if they need to; and finally the rest that they prefer not to adopt at all.

1 Resource Investigator

They use their inquisitive nature to find ideas to bring back to the team. Strengths: Outgoing, enthusiastic. Explores opportunities and develops contacts. Allowable weaknesses: Might be over-optimistic, and can lose interest once the initial enthusiasm has
Strengths: Mature, confident, identifies talent. Clarifies goals. Allowable weaknesses: Can be seen as manipulative and might offload their own share of the work

4 Plant

Tend to be highly creative and good at solving problems in unconventional ways. Strengths: Creative, imaginative, free-thinking, generates ideas and solves difficult problems. Allowable weaknesses: Might ignore incidentals, and may be too preoccupied to communicate effectively
5 Monitor Evaluator

Provides a logical eye, making impartial judgements where required and weighs up the team's options in a dispassionate way. Strengths: Sober, strategic and discerning. Sees all options and judges accurately. Allowable weaknesses: Sometimes lacks the drive and ability to inspire others and can be overly critical
6 Specialist

Brings in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team. Strengths: Single-minded, self-starting and dedicated. They provide specialist knowledge and skills. Allowable weaknesses: Tends to contribute on a narrow front and can dwell on the technicalities
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