a. The nine team roles are grouped into three broad groups:
i. Doing/Acting (Action Focused Team Roles):

• Some team members are good at getting things done. When they discover what needs to be done, they do it or encourage others to do it.

ii. Problem-Solvers and Thinkers (Thought Focused Team Roles):

• Teams are often confronted with problems and difficulties that need to be resolved. Some team members are good at finding answers to problems.

iii. Showing Concern for People (People Focused Team Roles):

• A successful team needs members who have skills in bringing the team together by showing concerns for others, by helping others, or through communicating well and showing a concern for the team as a unit.

b. Doing/Acting (Action Focused Team Roles):
i. Implementer: Well-organised and reliable, translates ideas into practical actions but can be slow to adapt to change.
ii. Shaper: Highly driven and energetic, pushes the team to make progress but may be insensitive.
iii. Completer/Finisher: Ensures that tasks are completed on time and to the required standard but may be overly worried about minor details.

Problem-Solvers and Thinkers (Thought Focused Team Roles):
i. Plant: Creative and solves difficult problems but may be poor at communicating and paying attention to detail.
ii. Monitor Evaluator: Provides a logical approach and sees the big picture but may lack enthusiasm and fail to inspire others.
iii. Specialist: Expert in a specific area of the team’s work but may be disinterested in areas outside their expertise.

Showing Concern for People (People Focused Team Roles):
i. Coordinator: Respected leader who helps others stay focused but may seem controlling.
ii. Team Worker: Harmonizes team dynamics and resolves conflicts but may avoid tough decisions.
iii. Resource Investigator: Explores opportunities and connects with people outside the team but may lose enthusiasm after initial excitement.

c. Belbin suggested that teams will work most successfully when team members:

• Appreciate a suitable balance amongst the different roles.
• Understand their role in the team.
• Work to their strengths.
• Try to manage their weaknesses.
• Assess the role each team member plays and identify roles not fulfilled by the current team.