Belbins Self-Perception Exercise - Essay Example

1. Introduction Reflection is vital ingredient of self-development that facilitates wider understanding of the diverse aspect of oneself. Knowing oneself and acknowledging the weak points is the major achievement that helps one to improve and improvise one’s habits, attitude and working for higher performance outcome. Bolton asserts that ‘through the mirror writing’ is spontaneous where content helps to discover some known and some unknown facet about oneself (105-106). Thus, it tends to explore unexamined thoughts, memories and actions which are enlightening. The result of such reflexive writing with the help of Belbin’s self-perception inventory exercise and Johari test results are discussed herein for exploring myriad aspects of self. 2. Self perception Belbin’s self-perception exercise and Johari score test outcome gave mixed results. Reflecting on them turned out to be hugely revealing as it showed many aspects of myself which even I did not know! 2.1 Open self Working within a team of ten members was interesting and self-absorbing. I love to meet new people and working along with them on common project was both exciting as well as anxiety filled. The eight roles of individuals as perceived by Belbin are: implementer; coordinator; shaper; plant; resource instigator; monitor evaluator; team worker; and completer. I always knew that I am a great team worker and the test also proved that. I like to help others and feel good when made part of some project where I can help out meet defined objectives successfully. It gives personal satisfaction to know that I had contributed to the success of the event especially where people from different nationality had come together to host the event. The high tea with international theme was interesting because it helped me to understand and interact people from diverse background cutting across culture, race and nationality. Most importantly, it helped me to know that I was a good team member with score of 12 and could work with people from different culture, race and nationality. I was therefore not surprised to know that I was also a good coordinator who could take up challenges and coordinate effectively to overcome obstacles. 2.2 Blind self The scores also showed that I could assume roles of resource instigator and finisher which I think is my blind aspect. I always believed that as follower in team, I am good at completing given tasks. But the Johari test showed that I am creative and unorthodox and that I tend to apply lateral thinking at the time of crisis. This is very important revelation that boosts my self-confidence and has encouraged me to take initiatives in future projects. Though I am highly strung and get pressurised, I am also resourceful and tend to work imaginatively under pressure and come out with creative solution. I had always admired this trait in others but now that I know that I have the ability to resolve problems, I think I should become more assertive and take initiatives to meet new challenges. I am confident that I would overcome obstacles. Moreover, I think that the test result rightly showed that I was slow to respond and weak communicator who was prone to provocation. These are detracting attributes which could be improved and improvised. I should work on these traits so that my blind self can become visible for others and I could be entrusted with important tasks. 2.3 Hidden self The self-reflection on the scores was enlightening as it helped me to see a hidden self which was somehow not revealed within the fast paced life where temporary gratification become an all important objectives of our lives. I was also an evaluator who could identify problem and seek solutions. The score of 13 showed that was highly suited for the role of monitor/ evaluator who could rationalize events and resolve problems. I had a very compassionate nature that was hidden and which encouraged people rather than berate them for their failures. Indeed, when wrong recipe could have spoiled dessert, I found that helping team member to evolve dessert with given ingredients was hugely satisfying. I supported her decision to make new dessert and helped her. The other members had become very agitated and angry but I was able to hide my anxiety and helped out with the girl to make banana cream shake with biscuit. It was a big success which greatly enhanced the self-esteem of the girl and made us strong friends. A friend in need is a friend indeed. I think that under pressure, I tend to excel and despite my short attention span, my empathetic and compassionate attitude helps me to win friends and work as team with higher outcome. Moreover, though the scores show myself as indecisive in critical situation and reluctant to delegate, I believe that my empathetic behaviour and outgoing personality are facilitating traits that can take up challenges. Like tortoise who slowly and steadily wins the race against the rabbit in a race, despite my slow early response to situations, I have the ability to face new situations and evolve creative solutions. I think I need to develop patience and perseverance as these traits would help me to overcome early indecisive stages which tend to send wrong messages to others. 2.4 Unknown self The most surprising element of the test was that despite scoring low of 4 as implementer, I have displayed leadership. I have ability to get the things done and make efforts to seek solutions rather than wasting time in discussing ideas. My relatively high scores as resource instigator, coordinator and finisher reveal unknown aspect of myself that ensure that work/ projects are finished successfully. This is truly fantastic because it fills me with new sense of purpose and higher objectives which I can achieve. This is also exhilarating because I had always envied my colleagues who were always ready to take up initiatives and lead projects.my belief that I could only be a good team member as I could follow instructions rather than take new challenges. But it was a myth and now that I reflect into my hitherto unexamined thoughts and forgotten memories, I realize that indeed, it was my initiative that had prompted the girl to come up with new dessert from the given material. I have the potential and the abilities to challenge the status quo and therefore, I can work upon my weaknesses and overcome them with confidence and belief in my abilities. I wonder why I had not observed this trait in myself earlier when my helping nature was crying out loudly that it takes courage to help others. I thought helping others as intrinsic part of my nature but what I did not know was that it also reflected my leadership trait that was designed to enable others to face obstacles with more forbearance and effort and inculcate confidence in themselves. I was actually empowering others so that they could make decisions based on informed choices. I have the leadership qualities which I need to polish. (words: 1168) Reference Bolton, Gillie. (2010) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional development, 3rd edition, London: sage Publication. Read More