These roles can generally be divided into ‘task’ or ‘process’:

• Task roles focus on ‘what’ the job is and getting it done. Shaper, implementer, completer-finisher, monitor-evaluator, plant and specialist all fall into this type of role
• Process roles focus on ‘how’ and particularly on the people involved. They include coordinator, resource investigator and teamworker.

The most effective teamworkers 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. However, it is possible to learn to take on the other focus and if this happens, the person becomes a highly effective team member.