This article by Barbara Moses published in the Globe and Mail suggests that contrarians are valuable additions to every workplace team - whether they are appreciated or not.
But is a contrarian really appreciated by a group of team players? Are the two labels polar opposites, or is one a different shade of the other?
I agree with the position of the article that the concept of being a team player has been over hyped. I think to the point of blind obedience.
In my experience good team players:
- Go along with the rest of the group
- Are unwilling to offend others
- Do not place a high value on their own time
- Are willing to sacrifice results for group harmony
- Avoid embarrassment
In my experience contrarians:
- See things differently
- Ask bold and challenging questions
- Are willing to take a postition
- Are willing to oppose the group
- Accept that they will make mistakes
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