According to Professor Katie Liljenquist of Brigham Young University, by adding a "socially distinct newcomer" like Dwight to your team, you can achieve added diversity and make your group-work more efficient (efficiency being especially significant in the midst of this recession). The Globe and Mail's Sarah Boesveld reports that mixing up the social dynamic of your office can help to deter groupthink and result in critical thinking and richer decisions. I don't think diversity and cohesiveness are necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, the team here at MB is composed of individuals with unique backgrounds, plus we really are a cohesive, successful and social group. I think the key is having team members with the confidence to speak up and voice their ideas. Most importantly, if your staff cares about your company and achieving your collective goals, they won't allow complacency.
