
Weaknesses: Tend to contribute on a narrow front, can dwell on the technicalities, may overload the team with information. Strengths: Single-minded, self-starting and dedicated. These team members bring in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team.

Weaknesses: Sometimes lack the drive and ability to inspire others, can be overly critical and may be slow to come to decisions. Strengths: Sober, strategic and discerning. These team members provide a logical eye, make impartial judgements where required and weigh up the team’s options in a dispassionate way. Weaknesses: May ignore incidentals, be too preoccupied to communicate effectively and may be absent-minded or forgetful. Generate ideas and solve difficult problems. Strengths: Creative, imaginative, free-thinking. These team members tend to be highly creative and good at solving problems in unconventional ways. Weaknesses: May be seen as manipulative, may over-delegate and offload their own share of the work. These team members focus on the team’s objectives, draw out other team members, and delegate work appropriately. Weaknesses: Can be indecisive in crunch situations, tend to avoid confrontation, may be hesitant to make unpopular decisions. Strengths: Co-operative, perceptive and diplomatic. These team members help the team to gel, using their versatility to identify the work required and complete it on behalf of the team. Weaknesses: May be over-optimistic, can lose interest once the initial enthusiasm has passed, may forget to follow up on leads. Explore opportunities and develop contacts. These team members use their inquisitive nature to find ideas to bring back to the team.


Different roles are likely to be required at different times during a team’s work. An individual can bring more than one cluster of skills to the team, with most people having two or three Belbin team roles that they are comfortable with.Įach of the nine roles described below is considered to be equally important and each has strengths and weaknesses. The Belbin team roles identify nine clusters of skills that need to be included within a team for it to be most effective.

Teamwork is common in research on complex societal and environmental problems. What is the range of roles that members of a team need to cover in order for the team to be effective? What strengths and weaknesses are associated with each role?
