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What Role Do You Take on a Team?
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For a team to succeed, members need to play the appropriate role at the appropriate time. See which roles you are most likely to take and which ones are not part of your natural style. When you are on a team, try to use your strengths in a way that will help your group be productive.
| If you are a… | You will naturally be able to… | BUT you must make an effort to… |
Leader |
Help the group make decisions. Direct action. Insure that results are accomplished. Keep people focused on the task and working towards the goal. | Share leadership in the group. Not exercise too much control. Involve others and use their expertise. |
Planner |
Think through steps that need to be taken. Look for the best way to accomplish a task. Encourage consideration of alternatives. Prevent group from taking action too quickly. | Include others in the planning process. Not spend too much time assessing alternatives. Act quickly when necessary. |
Cheerleader |
Offer support for new ideas and suggestions. Point out good aspects of ideas. Offer encouragement to group members. Keep morale up after setbacks. | See situations and people realistically. Recognize potential pitfalls and risks. |
Critic |
Point out potential problems with ideas. Alert group to mistakes that are about to be made. Try to keep the group from taking potentially hazardous risks. | Recognize positive aspects of ideas. Express appreciation to others. Take reasonable risks. |
Doer |
Encourage the group to take action and implement ideas. Insure that time is not wasted on too much analysis. Identify immediate action steps. | Take time to do sufficient planning. Evaluate ideas before implementing them. Not do the first thing that comes to mind. |
Innovator |
Suggest new ideas and approaches. Keep the group from getting stuck in a rut. Advocate creative solutions to problems. Look at things from a different perspective. | See possible pitfalls in ideas. Recognize when it is better to stick with the status quo. Not make changes just for the sake of change. |
Observer |
Actively watch and listen to what is occurring in the group. Share observations to help the group function more effectively. | Verbalize observations, don’t just watch. Share useful ideas and information. Participate enough to be seen as a member of the team. |
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