Way back when, a Belbin assessment identified me as a Plant and a Shaper.

I have a career spanning MI development, business analysis, Programme manager/director, business and enterprise architecture.

And roles that have always been in shaping of major organisational and technical transformation change..

All this seems to have wired my brain to constantly want to understand the “as is” and the to be”, and the “how” to engage people to get there …

This trait has been spotted by many with feedback along the lines of “deep thinking” “big picture” often “conceptual” as models of the future are painted, transition steps are considered and unintended consequences that may need to be mitigated are laid out.

Those identified as strong in the implementor, completer, finisher, who often just want to get on and do it – they have all the information they need, they know the next step to take, and they are ready to go go go …

These belbin types can see the plant and shaper, architect and analyst as a hurdle and tensions can soon arise…

So I am a big believer in horses for courses ..

If you are in the discovery phase make sure you have plants and shapers on board … those who are curious.. who want to see the world from different angles .. who need to understand the context .. assess the opportunities …

And if you are in delivery phase make sure you have those action orientated implementers and completer finishers on board .. those who just want to get the thing done .. who can drive the agenda forward.

But most of all don’t mix the courses and horses up – give time for discovery – set up for delivery – and make the crowd roar as you ride at pace to the finish line with the best odds and the best horse for the course.