Judging the leaders using the Belbin method

The reactions of Obama and McCain in the current financial crisis and their performances in the presidential debate are completely aligned with our predictions based on their team profiles.
The intensive research that Dr Meredith Belbin conducted in the latter half of the 20th Century revealed that it is possible to predict the style of management that each candidate is likely to bring to the job of president. 

Barak Obama

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.

Public and Expert opinion

Barak Obama

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.

John McCain

Public perceptions of John McCain mirror very closely the views of our experts in terms of team role orientation. They both see him as a hard driving Shaper and a good Resource Investigator who is outgoing and can connect with others.
 
The big difference in their perceptions is that the public has focussed much more on the negative aspects of his team roles. Three of the highest chosen words by the public are aggressive, impulsive and erratic. These descriptors were chosen by our experts, but are not as prominent in their thinking as they are for the public profile.

John McCain

John McCain's profile, which combines the hard driving qualities of the Shaper with those of a Resource Investigator, is one of a go-getter. His extroverted RI qualities may be an indicator of his ability to reach out to others and build bridges. He has an affinity for knowing how to react in fast-moving situations. With a good deal of outward-looking drive he is well placed to cope with pressure. He should be at his best working in a busy social environment where his readiness to interact and if necessary to challenge others can make its mark. His basic personal qualities are often linked with charisma.
 
Cautiousness is not built into his style. That is probably how he has achieved results in the past. His team role combinations suggest he will work well in a high pressure environment.  He will probably have a tendency to be impatient or headstrong which may restrict the flow of information to him and may limit the effectiveness of his staff.
 
He needs to surround himself with a team that is sociable but patient, well organized, and controlled. His operating style is in the classic entrepreneurial mould. This means it is in his nature to look for opportunities and take them. This can create risk. The art lies in knowing how to handle the risks.