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This Belbin Team Role and Work Role information site is sponsored by CERT Consultancy & Training
It is edited by Barrie Watson, a member of Belbin Associates. The purpose of the site is to provide free information for people using or planning to use Meredith Belbin's Team Role model and other Belbin tools techniques and philosophies.
Please Note: The answers and information provided on this website represent my own personal views and opinions, except where stated otherwise.
FAQ's about the Belbin Work Role model
Q What exactly is a Work Role?
A A Work Role is defined as the mix of tasks and responsibilities
undertaken by individuals or within a team. It utilises a colour classification system
to clearly differentiate between four categories of work.
Q Where can I find out more about Belbin Work Roles?
A You can find a short explanation
of Work Roles by clicking here. For a full explanation I suggest you read Changing
the Way We Work by Dr Meredith Belbin. (Published by Butterworth Heinemann)
Q The use of colours appears to be a bit of a gimmick to me. Is this really necessary?
A
The use of colours serves as a form of shorthand to differentiate between the four
categories of work. Once learnt, ambiguities and misunderstandings are avoided, just
as with traffic lights.
Q If I give clear instructions I can't see the need to use fancy classifications.
Am I missing something?
A The four classifications and the colour coding exists for
the very purpose of helping ensure clarity. They also serve as an aide-memoir to
prompt managers to decide under which of the four classifications work is being assigned.
This is extremely useful in itself because many managers predominantly use one category
only for assigning work, and thus, fail to unleash the full potential and motivation
of their subordinates.
Q How can use the Work Role model to improve my effectiveness as a manager?
A Assigning
and delegating work to others is one of the key functions of managers. The Work Role
model will help you to do this more effectively by providing clear understanding
between you and each jobholder of what is expected.
Q Would my organisation benefit from using the Work Role model?
A Maybe, as many organisations
fail to ensure people know precisely what is expected of them. If you have any doubts
about whether people are clear about what is expected of them I suggest you find
out more about the Work Role model. Click Here for more information
Other FAQ’s relating to the Belbin methodology
On this page you will find FAQ’s relating to the Belbin methodology that are not covered in FAQ’s relating to the Belbin Team Role model, the Belbin Assessments and using the Belbin reports etc. Please use the navigation bar or the search facility to help you find the information you are seeking.
Other Belbin FAQ Answers
Contribute Team Role Game and Other Active Learning Exercises
Q Are there any games or exercises that are helpful in providing active learning
for the Belbin Team Role model?
A Yes, Belbin Associates has produced two exercises
specially designed to provide active experience in applying the Team Role theory.
The exercises are called Contribute and Co-operate. There is also a more challenging
business simulation exercise I use quite a lot called Going for Profit which is
a computer managed business simulation exercise. For details of all of these three
exercises Click Here.
GetSet Young Persons Behavioural Assessment
Q I understand there is a special self perception inventory for young people, where
can I find out more about it?
A There is a special young person's version of the Belbin
Self Perception Inventory called GetSet. This uses different terminology that is
more user friendly to young people. It is particularly useful for those who have
not yet gained any work experience. For more information contact elizabethann.watson@cert-uk.info
Belbin and CERT Consultancy & Training
Q What is the relationship between CERT Consultancy & Training and Belbin Associates?
A
CERT Consultancy & Training are distributors of Belbin products and provide consultancy
and training services to help organisations throughout the world improve people performance
by adopting the Belbin tools, models and philosophies. In addition, CERT managing
director Barrie Watson is a member of Belbin Associates and collaborates closely
with Dr Meredith Belbin.