Plain English with Derek Thompson cover image

The Science of Achievement, With Adam Grant

Plain English with Derek Thompson

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Should Teams Send Star Players Home for a Month? The Benefits of Temporary Absence

Sending the star player home may seem crazy, but research shows it can actually benefit the team. A study of 28,000 NBA games found that when the best player was temporarily absent from the team, they performed better overall when they returned. This temporary absence helps the organization overcome myopia by triggering a search for new routines. So, maybe rooting for brief injuries isn't such a crazy idea after all.

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