Why What Others Think of You Does Matter!

Researchers Heidi Gardner and Lisa Kwan have conducted an interesting new study that explains why some teams do not perform effectively.   Their research shows that what others think of you actually does matter.  Specifically, your fellow team members' assessments of your ability have a significant effect on team performance overall.  Why?   The scholars studied the variance in team members' perceptions of each others' expertise.   Low variance means the members have similar perceptions.  High variance means the team members hold clashing perceptions of each others' expertise.  The scholars describe the high variance condition as "expertise dissensus."   They argue that expertise dissensus increases interpersonal conflict and decreases productive collaboration.  As a result, the team members experience less satisfaction and cannot work together effectively over time.