In the 1970s, nine years of research demonstrated that, although people displayed an infinite number of behaviours at work, there were only a finite number of useful behaviours that helped to facilitate team success. Nine clusters of useful behaviours were identified, and each one was termed a Belbin Team Role.How can Belbin help you?Using the language of Belbin helps people to understand which behavioural contribution is required, and when. In other words, Belbin enables managers and teams to work together and communicate openly and effectively, building trust and psychological safety and defusing conflict, even when teams are not co-located.This starts with discovering which of these clusters of useful behaviours – these Belbin Team Roles – are the most natural fit for you. It begins with you completing the Belbin Self-Perception Inventory, a questionnaire to help pinpoint your preferred styles.But this is just the first step.A wealth of research demonstrates that honest, objective feedback is crucial to effective management and leadership. And it's also at the heart of what we do at Belbin. Each of us needs a reality check – evidence that the strengths we see in ourselves are also seen and valued by others. That's why we ask for people who work with you and know you well to complete an Observer Assessment. Once we have all this data, we produce a Belbin Individual Report.The Belbin Individual Report offers practical guidance and advice which incorporates feedback from everyone in the team in a balanced and constructive way. Armed with this report, you can better understand your preferred Team Role behaviours and how these might shape your leadership style.We help individuals, teams and organisations use the full range of Belbin Reports to help them to use the language of Belbin and to make a differfence.