Finding and Forming the Perfect Team

Everybody is different.

We each have our own habits and methods of getting things done, we enjoy our own personal level of input and control, and like to do things our own way. Which is why working in groups can prove to be a difficult task, and as a second year Journalism and PR student, I know from experience!

One of the most important influences of a successful group project is having the right mix of people, cooperating effectively together to construct a great presentation and pitch. It matters not what the project is about or whether it is of interest to the people involved, just that everyone knows and is happy with their team roles and responsibilities within the group.

The tricky, often awkward task of finding the right group of people, however, can be made easy thanks to Dr Meredith Belbin. By undergoing this test, one can discover the most productive role to take in group work and ultimately create a dynamic and focused work ethic. Belbin researched the topic, and concluded that there are nine different behavioural personalities of team roles, which are…

1. Implementer - Well-organized and predictable. Takes basic ideas and makes them work in practice.

2. Shaper - Lots of energy and action, challenging others to move forwards. Can be insensitive.

3. Completer/Finisher - Reliably sees things through to the end, ironing out the wrinkles and ensuring everything works well. Can worry too much and not trust others.

4. Plant - Solves difficult problems with original and creative ideas. Can be a poor communicator and ignore details.

5. Monitor/Evaluator - Sees the big picture. Thinks carefully and accurately about things. May lack energy or ability to inspire others.

6. Specialist - Has expert knowledge/skills in key areas and will solve many problems here. Can be disinterested in all other areas.

7. Coordinator - Respected leader who helps everyone focus on their task. Can be seen as very controlling.

8. Team worker - Cares for individuals and the team. Good listener and works to resolve social problems. Can have problems making difficult decisions.

9. Resource/investigator - Explores new ideas and possibilities with energy and with others. Good networker. Can be too optimistic and lose energy after the initial flush.

According to the Belbin Test I am a strong Completer and Coordinator, which led me to implement this skill-base in an assignment for Public Relations Organisations and People. For both commissioning and pitching role tasks our group consisted of four students- Lucy, Jackie, Vanessa and I.

We functioned well as a team as two of the group followed instruction and were able to input ideas effectively, for example independently coming up with ideas, writing individually assigned portions of the task, getting involved in meetings and having an active voice in the pitch. On the other hand, Lucy and I took more of a leading role in the organisation and progress of the task. This involved organising group meetings, keeping everyone updated on plans and ideas, encouraging equal participation, creating a presentation and a hand-out, and ensuring everyone was comfortable with their tasks and the campaign. I'll link some of the work and ideas we came up with below, to give you an idea of what we did and how. But, in essence, we were lucky to maintain a productive and focused group due to an ideal balance between our personal behavioural roles.

The Belbin test isn’t limited to aiding the formation of a successful team, it can also be applied to many aspects of PR and life in general. Our ability to cooperate well with others features in our lives every day, from simple communication with friends, to education and the workplace, and even to simple interactions with strangers. Knowing how we can function best with others is crucial to maintaining healthy connections – It can be applied to the role we take in social groups and organisation of social gatherings, or the completion of individual work. For example, a leader defined as a ‘Coordinater’ may be keen to organise the people around them, or a ‘Monitor’ or ‘Shaper’ may be strong in ensuring plans are kept, even if they did not implement them personally.

In Public Relations, the influence of group members and their level of involvement in team tasks is crucial to performing to the best of everyone’s ability, for both the PR company and the businesses which rely on their services. The Belbin test is, in my opinion, a hugely underrated method of pulling a team together in order to successfully meet the needs of businesses requiring PR services. It is crucial for not only learning about oneself, but also friends, colleagues and everyone around us.

So next time you're involved in team work, don't forget good old Belbin!

Thanks for reading, over and out.