One Bad Apple Spoils the Rest

During the December Think Tank, Dr. Fred Johnson shared a powerful insight:"The best way to create a barrel of rotten apples is to leave one bad apple in the barrel of good apples."

Hopefully, you work with a team of "good apples”; individuals who are growing, improving, advancing, and achieving.

However, it's not uncommon for teams to encounter a bad apple; a colleague in decline who doesn’t want to grow, who doesn’t believe in the vision, and who isn’t on board with the rest of the team.

Unfortunately, declining team members are infectious.

The Law of Least Commitment teaches us that the person with the least commitment sets the standard for the entire team. When you allow a person in decline to remain in place,  it’s only a matter of time before his impact spreads to the rest of the team.

10 Signs to Spot a Leader in Decline:

1. Little or no passion -  It’s just a job. They do just enough to get by.

2. Reject change – They protect the status quo.

3. No growth – They have no interest in developing themselves or others.

4. They are the weak link on the team – They are a heavy anchor and don’t uplift the team.

5. Ride out the string – They milk it with little contribution.

6. Negative attitude – They complain about people and how things are done.

7. Hoarders of information  for perceived personal power – They won’t share information to help others and to pass on institutional knowledge.

8. Resents accountability – They love drama and finger pointing.

9. Default to Defensiveness – They won’t receive or activate feedback.

10. Self-servicing – They place personal comfort above the purpose/mission.

Being kind as a leader isn’t always comfortable, but it’s necessary for building a high-performing team. The solution? Coach the “bad apples” either up or out.

Our monthly Think Tank is a great way to unpack the leadership challenges, connect with others, and inspire change within you and your organization. 

Join us next month in-person or online!