The premise of the given passage suggests that firms often avoid assembling teams of experts due to their perceived difficult nature and potential for conflict. Instead, firms prefer to create teams of individuals who are more compatible and harmonious. The question requires us to determine the outcome of such a decision.
Now, analyze the provided options:
Options 1 and 4 describe extremes not directly supported by the passage. Option 3 discusses the creation of new experts, which is not mentioned. According to the passage, choosing teams based on compatibility rather than expertise typically leads to average or mediocre results, fitting option 2: The result is mediocrity.
Read the sentence and infer the writer's tone: "The politician's speech was filled with lofty promises and little substance, a performance repeated every election season."