Considered one of the first and most important ‘management gurus’, the name Belbin is synonymous with Team Role theory, a familiar concept for managers and management trainers across the world. This fully updated third edition of Team Roles at Work provides the practical application of the theory in everyday work situations.
This new edition has up-to-date practical examples and summaries to reflect contemporary scenarios, and a brand-new chapter on remote team working, an issue that has gained even greater significance in recent times. The book also includes a Foreword to capture the impact of Meredith’s work in the field of management and team working. Further information accompanies the book on the Belbin website, www.belbin.com, including a summary of the nine Team Roles with their icons, descriptions, strengths, and allowable weaknesses.
Team Roles at Work is the best-selling, second book written by Meredith Belbin, designed for any manager who wants to understand the practical application of Team Role theory.
Author(s): R. Meredith Belbin, Victoria Brown
Edition: 3
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 140
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Dedication
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword
Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Chapter 1 How Roles at Work Emerged
As Primaeval Teams Recede, Tyrannical Order Develops
Some Traditional Ways of Assigning People to Work Roles
The Most Senior Person Gets the Job
The Impact of Gender
Racial Roles and Hierarchies
The Rise of the Free City
Skilled Labour in a Free Market
A Dilemma in Work Identity
A Strange Outcome
Summary
Chapter 2 The Qualifications Mystery
Who Are the Elite?
Selecting Without Eliminating Real Ability
Getting to the Shortlist
Doing the Right Thing With Disappointing Consequences
The Rush for Qualifications Increases the Problem
Exceptions to the Rule Highlight the Mystery
The Hidden Advantages of Informal Learning
Summary
Chapter 3 Emergence of a Team Role Language
The Continued Evolution of Team Roles
Identifying and Developing Team Roles
Team Role Versus Functional Role
Predictors and Overriders
The Lessons Drawn From Life
The Effects of Current Situation
Role Versatility Versus Role Priority
A Language in Common Use
Summary
Chapter 4 Eligibility Versus Suitability
The Qualifications Dilemma
Obstacles to Identifying Talent
Four Important Quadrants
Emancipation Into Management
Surprise Fits and Why ‘Ideal Fits’ Are Not Always the Right Choice
Special Problems Amongst the Unsuitables
A Case for Backing a Suitable
A Strategy of Compromise
Summary
Chapter 5 Coherent and Incoherent Role Profiles
The Road to Maturity
Improvers Versus Non-Improvers at Work
Self-awareness in the Team Generates Coherent Behaviour
Differing Styles Linked By a Common Maturity
When Weaknesses Become Allowable
High Performers With Apparent Weaknesses
When Allowable Weaknesses Veer Towards Unacceptability
Qualities That Combine Well
Unusual Combinations
Problematic Referrals
The Great Advantages of Coherence
Summary
Chapter 6 Interpersonal Chemistry in the Workplace
Single-role and Multiple-Role Relationships
Shaper Relationships
Plant Relationships
Specialist Relationships
Monitor Evaluator Relationships
Completer Finisher Relationships
Implementer Relationships
Resource Investigator Relationships
Co-ordinator Relationships
Teamworker Relationships
Summary
Chapter 7 Managing Difficult Working Relationships
Avoiding the Issue
Different Forms of Strained Working Relationships
Identifying Hidden Strengths
Making a Team Role Sacrifice
Managing the Paradoxical in Working Relationships
Third-party Relationships
Summary
Chapter 8 A Strategy for Self-Management
Finding Yourself
Mimicking Others
Usefully Comparing Self-Perception With Outside Observation
Becoming a Stronger Example of a Given Team Role
Making a Sacrifice
Contracting Out
Summary
Chapter 9 The Art of Building a Team
Where Teamwork Fails
Some Intermediate Steps
Ensuring That Balanced Teams Can Be Formed
Basic Steps in Team Building
The Practicalities of Team Construction
What Can Happen When There Is No Team Strategy
When to Keep and When to Change the Team
The Technology of Casting
Summary
Chapter 10 The Management of Succession
Where Can We Find Another Harris?
Someone New at the Helm
The Heir Apparent Is Waiting
Some Ways of Modifying Divine Right in Succession
Team Roles and Succession
A Strategy for Fail-Safe Succession
Summary
Chapter 11 Leadership for the Modern World
Industry and Politics
Contrasting Styles of Leadership
Some Consequences of the Two Leadership Styles
Variations On a Theme
A Current Equivalent
Interactions Between Beliefs and Team Roles
A Teamworker as a Leader
Leadership Within a Context
Summary
Chapter 12 Real Teams in a Virtual World
Flexibility Is Key
Designing Virtual Teams
Plant Team Role Behaviour
Teamworker Team Role Behaviour
Specialist Team Role Behaviour
Completer Finisher Team Role Behaviour
Resource Investigator Team Role Behaviour
Implementer Team Role Behaviour
Shaper Team Role Behaviour
Monitor Evaluator Team Role Behaviour
Co-ordinator Team Role Behaviour
Embracing Diversity in Virtual Teams
Leading Virtual Teams
Summary
Index
