Reflection on Teamwork in Case Study Analysis using Belbin's Team Role Model

Running Head: REFLECTION 1
Reflection

Reflection 2
The reflection is a significant exercise in the learning and development as it increases the
mental ability to learn and apply the knowledge in the practical situations. In the reflection, a
person analyses the past experiences and situations and derives meaningful conclusions. It is
important to identify different aspects and use them in the personal growth. In the present, a
reflection is taken for the case group study assignment. We were a group of five people and
the assignment was to analyse a case study, given by the tutor. Working in a group can be
challenging, as there can be conflicts at different instances regarding the direction of the case,
personal responsibilities and the individual contribution. In the present reflection, the team
work in the case study assignment will be analysed with the help of Belbin’s team role
model. Conclusively, an action plan so that the weaknesses identified can be addressed.
The Belbin’s team model states that when a team is performing as per the expectations or
best, the team work as an alliance. In this alliance, each group member has a certain or
specific duty. Also, this group member is dedicated towards his responsibility or role towards
the task. These responsibilities are clear, and every role required for the proper fulfilment of
the team’s role is performed in a complete manner. It can be reflected from the past
experience, that when a team work together, there are no individual strengths and
weaknesses, but the weakness persists at the team level. It means that the individual weakness
can affect the team significantly. Therefore, a person can support the team, by understanding
his involvement with the team in a better manner and manage the weaknesses and the
strength at the team level.
The Belbin’s model is focussed at developing more balanced teams. The balanced teams refer
to the types of teams, in which each member has a different contribution. However, if more
than a single person is demonstrating a similar behaviour, it can affect the team in a negative
manner. If the team members have the similar king of weakness, then that weakness will
emerge. Therefore, it is important that different team members have different contributing
role in the team. Moreover, if the team members have similar strength, they will compete
with each other rather than complementing one another and contributing for the common
goals. It is important for the team leader to assure that the team members have different roles
and responsibilities, which best suits their styles (Mathieu, Tannenbaum, Kukenberger,
Donsbach, and Alliger, 2015).
The team roles defined in the Belbin’s model are based on the personal observation and the
individual communication style of individual participant of the teams. In most of the teams,
an individual tends to attend a particular team role, which is dependent upon the behaviour
and the personal style of that individual. There are also certain other factors, such as the
natural working style of the individual, interrelationships with other working people and the
task in hand. According to this model, the members of the team also affect the behaviour of
the team participants. According to this model, there are none team roles, which can be
differentiated into action oriented, people oriented and thought oriented groups. Each group
role is characterized by different behaviour and personal strength of the team member.
According to this model, each role also has some associated weakness with the team roles.
The action oriented roles are, shaper, implementer and completer-finisher. The people
oriented roles are coordinator, team work, and resource investigator. The thought oriented