Picture this – a brand-new hospital ward that feels anything but new. 

Two teams from completely different specialisations are merged, but instead of synergy, there’s strain.

Thirty-two beds, thirty-eight staff members – and yet only twenty-four beds are in use because the workload feels impossible.

Communication is fractured, morale is low, and patients aren’t getting the care they deserve.

This was the reality at the Academic Hospital in Rotterdam in 2013.

That’s when Bert Visser from Belbin Netherlands stepped in with a bold approach – use the Belbin Team Role model to turn chaos into collaboration.

Step 1 – Understanding the team

Every team member completed the Belbin Self-Perception and Observer Assessments.

The results revealed a familiar pattern in healthcare – lots of Implementers, Completer Finishers, and Teamworkers. Great for reliability, but not for flexibility or innovation.

When the strengths and allowable weaknesses of these roles were explained, something clicked. People began to see why things were the way they were – and how they could change.

Step 2– Unlocking hidden potential

Through individual coaching, team members explored their secondary roles.

Suddenly, new dynamics emerged.

Some stepped into Co-ordinator roles, creating space for Resource Investigators and Monitor Evaluators to share their ideas. Conversations shifted and energy returned.

Together, the team crafted a mission statement and proudly displayed it in the ward’s hallway as a bold declaration of their shared purpose.

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Step 3 – Ripple effects

Doctors noticed the change. Communication improved. Nurses adopted more Shaper behaviours, tackling old issues head-on and with fresh insight.

But transformation isn’t always smooth – ten nurses left, unable to align with the new mission.

During recruitment, Belbin reports guided the selection of five new nurses with complementary roles: a Monitor Evaluator, a Shaper, a Co-ordinator, and two Resource Investigators.

The result? A complete turnaround

With thirty-three staff members, all thirty beds were in use – and no one complained about workload.

Conflicts were addressed openly. Doctors were happier. Most importantly, patients received the care they deserved and rated their stay highly.

The ward became a place people wanted to work. In the final year, not a single nurse left.

The secret? Diversity and balance – not in individuals, but in the team as a whole.

As Dr Meredith Belbin famously said:
 “What is needed is not well-balanced individuals but individuals who balance with one another.”

Ready to transform your team?

If this story resonates with you, imagine what Belbin could do for your organisation. Whether you’re facing communication breakdowns, high turnover, or simply want to unlock hidden potential, Belbin gives you the tools to build balanced, high-performing teams.

Start your journey today – complete the form below to learn how Belbin can help your team thrive.

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Let's explore how Belbin can help your teams work better together. Fill in your details and we'll arrange an online meeting to show you around the Belbin platform.

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