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Why Every Office Needs an Outsider

Posted by samzenpus on from the he-put-my-stapler-in-Jell-O-again dept.

Research has shown that having an oddball team member not only gives you someone to make fun of, but also leads to better decision making. Researcher Katie Liljenquist, says having "socially distinct newcomers" on a team can help it perform at a higher level. Team tension is crucial, and shaking up the same old crowd is the way to create it. "You can imagine if you work in an office and you've got this outsider like Dwight Schrute who walks in and a lot of his ideas resonate with you. Your fellow in-group members are hearing this and thinking, 'Wait, you agree with Dwight?' That can be really uncomfortable and socially threatening," she says.

5 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. It's also nice.... by Quantos · · Score: 5, Funny

    To have another scapegoat that you can blame stuff on too :)

    --
    Some people are only alive because it's against the law for me to hunt them down and kill them.
    1. Re:It's also nice.... by schon · · Score: 3, Funny

      another scapegoat that you can blame stuff on too

      Ah, Tibor, how many times have you saved my butt?

  2. False. by D+Ninja · · Score: 3, Funny

    Alright! Who put my stapler in the Jello again!

    1. Re:False. by JCSoRocks · · Score: 2, Funny

      uhh, how do you know it was me?

      --
      You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.
  3. Re:me? by Haoie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh dear.

    It's high school all over again!! Ahhhh!!

    --
    If each mistake being made is a new one, then progress is being made.