Belbin Game of Thrones

"WINTER IS COMING", but how will each person deal with it?

As the late Eddard Stark warned, "Winter is Coming", and the various characters within the Game of Thrones universe will all deal with it quite differently.

The medieval fantasy television series has many fascinating characters. They are counterparts of those in George R. R Martin's series of novels, "A Song of Ice and Fire".

Like any real-world workplace, the various characters in this rather complex and turbulent world all bring with them behavioural strengths and weaknesses. These account, in great measure, for their ongoing successes and failures.

They will each exhibit the strengths and weaknesses of their natural Team Role preferences to varying degrees, with some managing the associated weaknesses better than others.

Game Of Thrones devotees in our office have been debating the various strengths and weaknesses of some of the major characters. We have used Belbin's 9 Team Role styles. These are used to measure behavioural contributions in business, government, defence and sporting teams worldwide.

Which Game Of Thrones character might you be like at work and why?

Just like us, and the many other people in our workplaces, a character does not have just one single behavioural style, but rather a blend of preferences anchored in a lifetime's worth of experience. You may therefore see your favourite characters pop up in several Team Role types.

With a rather complex plot, it’s also quite hard to pin down some characters as the many day-to-day and 'behind the scenes' scenarios that help define a behavioural Team Role may not get any screen time.

That said, we've hotly debated some of the main characters based upon what we can see, and here are our thoughts so far.

These are based on only a handful per Belbin Team Role style (feel free to place any of your faves that we may have missed).

Resource Investigator 

They use their inquisitive nature to find ideas, pursue their interests and bring opportunities to the team. They can be quite influential and entrepreneurial. 

• Strengths: Outgoing, enthusiastic. Explores opportunities and develops contacts.
• Allowable weaknesses: Might be over-optimistic, and can lose interest once the initial enthusiasm has passed.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They might forget to follow up on a lead.

Game of Throne Characters: Jaime Lannister, Petyr Baelish, Margaery Tyrell, Tyrion Lannister

Teamworker

Help the team to gel, using their versatility to support and see the best in others. Identify necessary work and complete it on behalf of the team.

• Strengths: Co-operative, perceptive and diplomatic. Listens, supports others and averts friction.
• Allowable weaknesses: Can be indecisive in crunch situations and tends to avoid confrontation.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They might be hesitant to make unpopular decisions.

Game of Throne Characters: Sansa Stark, Samwell Tarly, Eddard Stark

Co-ordinator

Needed to focus on the team's objectives, draw out team members and delegate work appropriately.

• Strengths: Mature, confident, identifies talent. Clarifies goals.
• Allowable weaknesses: Can be seen as manipulative and might offload their own share of the work.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They might over-delegate, leaving themselves little work to do.

Game of Throne Characters: Robert Baratheon, Tywin Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen.

Plant

Tend to be highly creative and imaginative, and good at solving problems in unconventional ways.

• Strengths: Creative, imaginative, free-thinking, generates ideas and solves difficult problems.
• Allowable weaknesses: Might ignore incidentals, and may be too preoccupied to communicate effectively.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They could be absent-minded or forgetful.

Game of Throne Characters: Maester Aemon, Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister, Maester Luwin

Monitor Evaluator

Provides a logical eye, making impartial judgements where required and weighs up the team's options in a dispassionate way.

• Strengths: Sober, strategic and discerning. Sees all options and judges accurately.
• Allowable weaknesses: Sometimes lacks the drive and ability to inspire others and can be overly critical.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They could be slow to come to decisions.

Game of Throne Characters: Tywin Lannister, Maester Aemon, Lord Varys, Tyrion Lannister

Specialist

Brings in-depth knowledge of a key area to the team.

• Strengths: Single-minded, self-starting and dedicated. They provide specialist knowledge and skills.
• Allowable weaknesses: Tends to contribute on a narrow front and can dwell on the technicalities.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They overload you with information.

Game of Throne Characters: Maester Aemon, Jorah Mormont, Breanne of Tarth

Shaper

Provides the necessary drive to ensure that the team keeps moving and does not lose focus or momentum.

• Strengths: Challenging, dynamic, thrives on pressure. Has the drive and courage to overcome obstacles.
• Allowable weaknesses: Can be prone to provocation, and may sometimes offend people's feelings.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They could risk becoming aggressive and bad-humoured in their attempts to get things done.

Game of Throne Characters: Robert Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Arya Stark, Cersei Lannister

Implementer

Needed to plan a workable strategy and carry it out as efficiently as possible.

• Strengths: Practical, reliable, loyal, efficient. Turns ideas into actions and organises the hard work that needs to be done.
• Allowable weaknesses: Can be a bit inflexible and slow to respond to new possibilities.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They might be slow to relinquish their plans in favour of positive changes.

Game of Throne Characters: Brienne of Tarth, Stanis Baratheon, Eddard Stark, Jorah Mormont

Completer Finisher

Most effectively used to polish and scrutinise the work for errors, subjecting it to the highest standards of quality control and keeping up high standards.

• Strengths: Painstaking, conscientious, anxious. Searches out errors. Polishes and perfects.
• Allowable weaknesses: Can be inclined to worry unduly, and reluctant to delegate.
• Don't be surprised to find that: They could be accused of taking their perfectionism to extremes.

Game of Throne Characters: Robb Stark, Davos Seaworth, Grey Worm

Next steps

What are your thoughts? Are they any you disagree with? Or perhaps we've missed your favourite? Let us know where they might fit! If you would like to find out about your Team Role strengths complete a Belbin report now!