• Latest Analysis
• Introduction
• Learn about Team Role Profiles
• Barack Obama
• John McCain
• Results for other politicians
• Take your turn

Public Panel Results

As with John McCain, Barack Obama's Belbin profile generated by the public closely mirrors the views of our experts in terms of team role orientation. They both see him as being a natural communicator, broad in outlook, and a good coordinator as well as an ideas person (the two idea generating roles are Plant and Resource Investigator; he shows strength in both of these roles).

The only significant difference between the public and expert profiles is that the experts rated Obama higher on Shaper weaknesses: impatience, aggressiveness, and being provocative. The explanation for this difference could be that Obama has not displayed these weaknesses in his most significant public exposure opportunities. In the last debate McCain displayed his top roles Shaper and Resource Investigator, being more aggressive and throwing out several challenges and ideas that may or may not have been fully flushed out. Obama on the other hand projected a more laid back style, holding his own but not appearing to be provocative or aggressive.

Expert Panel Results

Barack Obama’s personal strengths consist of his ability to bring the best out of people. He is a natural communicator and coordinator. He would thrive in an environment such as the Oval Office that would allow him to explore and develop new opportunities. He is innovative, enterprising and broad in outlook. He will tend to surround himself with people who interact without reservation.

His combination of coordination and idea-generation skills has to be carefully managed. He will be good at spotting talent and seeing how different people may best contribute to addressing the complex problems he will face in his new role. However, he may also feel tempted to prescribe most of the ideas himself. For him to operate at his best he would be best advised to make sure he separates these two roles. There may be occasions when it would be a good thing for him to restrict his own contribution until all others have had their say.

Separating when he uses these strengths will be important for him to achieve his full potential. Having advisors well-grounded in the  practical will help balance his more charismatic, broad thinking and visionary style.