We all know that it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch. How does one manage those employees that affect the team’s overall harmony and performance?
One can encounter several types of unpleasant behaviours in the workplace: arrogance, pessimism, disengagement, laziness, rudeness, lack of manners. Just to name a few. We all know one or a few of them – idiots are everywhere after all – but why the not-so-nice “bad apple” term? Simply put, we may not always notice it, but these toxic types can ruin the performance of an entire team.
A 2006 study by Will Phelps, of the Rotterdam School of Management, showed that it takes but one person who acts in a corrosive manner to not only contaminate the attitude of his or her teammates, but do it in such a way that the team’s overall performance decreases by 30 to 40 per cent as compared to a group where harmony prevails. How do we avoid such professional breakdowns?
Discard the apple? No. “Sweeten” them up!
Sooner or later, all workplaces will be faced with the dilemma of dealing with a rotten apple. When ignoring that colleague is not enough, you take action. And we aren’t talking relocation or firing here! Marshall Goldsmith, author of Mojo: How to Get it, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back When You Lose It, suggests a very simple but effective solution.
Each team member asks their colleagues a simple question. "In the future, how can I do a great job of helping our team demonstrate effective teamwork?" That triggers healthy dialogues, encouraging people to be positive and focused on their responses. One must demonstrate great listening skills in order to learn from their mistakes and be thankful for the honest and constructive feedback.
You then hold individual meetings where each employee tells you what they have learnt about him or herself. As a leader, you can even allow yourself to further make comments and suggestions to the employee in question. Do not hesitate to make a thorough follow-up after a few months. In this manner, you lead by exemplifying cohesion within the team you hold so dear.