Belbin’s team roles can be divided into Task and Process roles.

• Task roles focus on ‘what’: the job in hand, and getting it done. The key ‘task-focused’ team roles are Shaper, Implementer, Completer-Finisher, Monitor-Evaluator, Plant and Specialist.
• Process roles focus on ‘how’, and particularly on the people involved. They include Coordinator, Resource Investigator, and Team Worker.

The most effective team-workers are those who can see what skills are available within the group and use their own skills to fill any gaps. People tend to be either task- or process-focused, rather than a mixture.

It is perfectly possible to learn to take on the other focus, if you want to do so, and this will make you a highly effective team member.