About the FIRO-B™: Team Development – Role Preferences, Part II

When working with others, most of us tend to behave consistently.  As other team members get used to our style, it starts to become a role they expect from us.  This role is determined partly by our own desires and from the group’s desires and experiences.  The role you are most likely to take in a group can be determined by your highest Expressed Need.  This time we'll look those with Control as the highest score.

Most people with this highest Need take the role of Director.  They often provide structure for making decisions, keep track of time and tasks, push for closure or action, and make work assignments.

Some positive aspects of this style include providing order and keeping the group moving forward, staying focused on completing tasks in a timely manner, paying attention to limitations and resources, and keeping order in the group.

Potential negative aspects include putting too much pressure on people to act, ending discussions too soon, focusing on action instead of thinking things through, and pushing people beyond their skill levels at the expense of the project.

As with most scores on the FIRO-B, you are more likely to fit the above pattern the higher your score on this scale is.  You might do the above less frequently, or only when others do not take this role.  Likewise, if your highest Total Need is in the same category, you are more likely to take on this role.