TASK AND MAINTENANCE ROLES OF TEAM MEMBERS
There are many roles that people perform in teams. Some of these relate to helping the teamperform its tasks. Others relate to maintaining the team and relationships among members.
Finally, there are dysfunctional roles that may hinder the team; behavior is directed towardpersonal rather than team needs. Below is a list and brief description of different roles andfunctions performed in teams. Read each description and choose one person in the team whofits this description. In other words, based upon your perception of the team, who performs eachfunction or role? A person may be nominated for more than one role, and you may nominateyourself.
TEAM TASK ROLES
INITIATOR/CONTRIBUTORproposes goals, new ideas, and solutions; defines problems;
suggests procedures; points out benefits
INFORMATION GIVERoffers facts and relevant information or experience
OPINION GIVERstates belief about alternatives; focuses on values rather
than facts
INFORMATION SEEKERseeks clarification of suggestions based on facts relevant to
the problem
OPINION SEEKERasks for clarification of values which the group holds in
relation to the problem
COORDINATORclarifies the various suggestions, ideas, and opinions and
coordinates them
SUMMARIZERsummarizes and restates back to the team; draw member's
activities together; offers conclusions
CLARIFIER/ELABORATORinterprets; gives examples; defines terms; clears up
confusion or ambiguity
EVALUATORsubjects the team's activity to some criterion, for example,
practicality, logic, etc.
ORIENTORtries to show the team the position it is now taking and may
raise questions about its direction
PROCEDURAL TECHNICIANperforms routine tasks for the group such as
secretary/treasurer; timekeeper
ENERGIZERstimulates the group to action leading to closure
TEAM MAINTENANCE ROLES
ENCOURAGERpraises good points, exhibits acceptance (the "we" feeling);
and group solidarity
HARMONIZERattempts to mediate differences among members or their
points of view; reduces conflict and tension; attempts to
reconcile differences
GATEKEEPER/EXPEDITERattempts to encourage communication, bringing persons into the discussion who have not given their ideas, keeping the discussion
to the point, etc.
STANDARD SETTERexpresses standards for the group to attempt to achieve, and applies
themto evaluating the group process
COMPROMISERis willing to compromise or yield his or her idea or point of view, or admit an error
GROUP OBSERVERkeeps records of the group process in action and brings much data into the discussion as seen pertinent
FOLLOWERmore or less a passive and accepting person; going along
with the ideas of others
DYSFUNCTIONAL SELFORIENTED ROLES
AGGRESSORmay express disapproval of others, joke excessively, attack the
group or the problem, show envy, etc.
BLOCKERis negativistic and resistant, disagreeing and opposing beyond reasonableobjections; getting discussion off on a tangent; focuses on personal concerns rather than on team problem; argues too much
RECOGNITION SEEKERtries to get attention; calls attention to self, boasts; loud or
unusual behavior; excessive talker
DOMINATORtries to assert authority to control team at expense of other members
AVOIDERacts indifferently; withdraws from discussion; daydreams; wanders off, talks to others; fools around
PLAYBOY/GIRLdoes not involve self in group process, but sits back in horseplay, whispering, etc.
SELFCONFESSOR this person brings in personal feelings, ideas, etc., not
pertinent nor oriented to the group
HELPSEEKERattempts to express insecurity, gain sympathy, or in other ways, deprecate self
SPECIAL INTEREST PLEADERexpresses own biases or prejudices by pleading for the minority groups within the group
OVERALL LEADERSHIP ROLES
TASKLEADERperson whose behavior contributed the most to accomplishing work
of the team
SOCIAL (MAINTENANCE) LEADER person whose behavior contributed most to building and maintaining team relationships
SELFORIENTED LEADERperson whose behavior was directed toward meeting his or her own needs; hindered or ignored team needs