Belbin & Bowles: helping businesses develop high performing teams to achieve results.

Are your teams performing ‘ok’, but you have a feeling they have the capacity to perform better?

Have your teams stagnated, and performance is not quite what it used to be?

Are your usual interventions no longer providing the ‘re-invigoration’ or ‘impact on performance’ your business needs?

Why not try something new?

Belbin & Bowles is a transformative, outcomes-driven residential experiential learning programme for intact teams.

Over 2 days it combines in-depth classroom based learning with practical application through participation in specifically chosen outdoors activities to embed learning.

Transformative experiential learning for team building, learning and development

Belbin has partnered with Bowles Rocks, a specialist outdoor education centre located in the stunning East Sussex countryside, to create a unique experiential learning programme for existing teams.

Award winning Bowles Rocks has over 30 years’ experience of designing and facilitating L&D programmes for all levels - from apprentices and graduates to leaders and teams. Their bespoke training packages include carefully selected outdoor activities designed to help deliver key learning outcomes for participants and teams, matched to their needs.

Embed learning so teams can effectively apply new knowledge back in the workplace

An experiential learning approach has been shown to support and embed learning, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

“Experiential learning is a hands-on educational process that produces knowledge and skills through a combination of experience, reflection, conceptualization of the experience, and use of learned ideas to make decisions or solve problems.” (Kolb, 1984)[1]

The Belbin and Bowles Rocks teams will deliver this programme together to bring Belbin to life in a whole new way.

Delegates will be supported to explore and understand Belbin Team Roles in a highly practical setting. This will develop an applied, practical understanding of how they can utilise Belbin in their everyday work, with tangible and measurable results.

[1] Reference: Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Learning outcomes

This programme is for intact teams or newly formed teams who want to work better, together and develop into high performing teams.

It is also suitable for management/leadership teams who will benefit from understanding their own leadership styles and discover how to lead their teams authentically through applying Belbin methodology.

Learning outcomes include:

Discover individual preferred Team Roles, working styles, strengths and allowable weaknesses
Enable individuals to understand and articulate the best ways they can contribute to the team
Learn how to use the Belbin Language of Teams to de-personalise conversations
Build confidence to help individuals consider developing other team roles as appropriate
Through practical application of the Belbin theory in an experiential learning environment, embed learning to be translatable to the workplace

Delivery: Day 1 - half day

Day 1

13:15 hours onwards - check-in at the Bowles Rocks facility in Tunbridge Wells*

14:00 to 17:30 hours - programme will begin with an introduction to the theory of Belbin Team Roles and Belbin reports and the wealth of advice and guidance they contain.

Through a series of hands-on exercises, participants will develop an understanding of how the Team Roles can be applied in a team setting, and their own strengths and weaknesses. As participants come to understand what they specifically can contribute to the team with greater clarity, there will be some ‘lightbulb moments’ as the theory starts to come to life.

19:00 hours - after some free time, participants meet for dinner and have the opportunity to reflect and discuss learning in a more social setting.

* Programme fee includes accommodation and meals

Delivery: Day 2 - full day

Day 2

09:00 hours - after breakfast the day begins with a 'Belbin team engagement and culture' session.

12:30 hours - Lunch

13:15 hours - The Bowles Rocks team will take the lead as the experiential learning begins.

Participants will spend the afternoon participating in a series of carefully selected outdoor activities designed to replicate the challenges and pressures found in the workplace.

Teams will be encouraged to apply what they have learned about Belbin Team Roles to work together effectively to overcome challenges posed and achieve set objectives.

16:15 hours - Final debrief and summary before departure.

Transfer of learning

In order to ensure learning outcomes are maximised, this programme will combine:

Facilitated discussion
Practical activity sessions*
Debriefing sessions
Potential for peer-to-peer feedback

* All Bowles Rocks activities are designed to be 100% inclusive with appropriate roles for individuals to push themselves as they choose. Additional details on request.

To get the most from this programme your team will need:

A growth mindset
Energy and enthusiasm
A basic knowledge of Belbin (helpful but not essential)
Wellies/outdoor shoes and a waterproof coat

Full advice on suitable clothing as well as any medical guidance will be provided.

Dates and prices

This programme is recommended for intact teams or new teams wanting to develop into high performing teams.

Venue: Bowles Rocks, Sandhill Lane, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9LW

Cohort size: minimum 6 and maximum 10 participants

Please contact [email protected] to discuss your teams needs and availability to receive a fully costed proposal.

Talk to us about how experiential learning can benefit your team

For more details or a chat about what is involved, please contact Lisa Ward in the Belbin Team.

E-mail: [email protected]

Call: 01223 264975

We look forward to hearing from you.