Changing the Way We Work

How many problems at work arise from the way in which jobs are set up? Either people don't have a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities, spending time and energy disentangling them from those of their co-workers or they are hemmed in by job specifications that allow no room for movement and initiative.

An alternative system is needed, where jobs can grow and develop: where communication about the work can flow up as easily as down. Dr Belbin describes a radical approach incorporating colour-coding and information technology derived from experiments now being undertaken in three countries. Workset is a new means of delivering greater efficiency in a dynamic process that equally involves managers and jobholders

• The colours of Work Roles

1. Orders and disorders
2. The true nature of a modern job
3. Reclassifying work: tasks versus responsibilities
4. 'So what's the job?'
5. Overcoming initial problems
6. Job casting and job briefing
7. Improving communications
8. Quantifying the way we work
9. Managing the feedback
10. Creating a new culture
11. Fostering team empowerment
12. From competence to excellence
13. Team roles and colour codes
14. Managers and leaders revisited
15. A way forward

• Appendix 1: A glossary of terms
• Appendix 2: Workset - audit of existing practices in job setting

Another great book by Belbin. This one discusses work roles.