BAD APPLES SPOIL MORE THAN BARRELS

Not surprisingly, the “bad apples” in our midst often leave destructive and lingering ill effects. This toxic fruit is particularly adept at lowering the morale of any environment he/she inhabits. According to a University of Washington study, rotten apples cause so much havoc because negative behavior actually overrides positive behavior; having one or two “goodies” around doesn’t sufficiently counter the effect of the “baddies”. Most people tend to be caught off guard by undermining and harmful conduct, either becoming angry or hurt, withdrawing, or denying the severity of the poisonous contact.

Here’s help to make sure you’re not easy pickens’:

• Beware of the bad apple’s many guises: bully, martyr, slacker (who believes he/she is so overworked), persistent naysayer, equal opportunity hater (of just about everything), the unrelenting devil’s advocate, the maven (a world class expert on just about everything).

• Conduct this simple experiment: when the bad apple is absent from work for several days or doesn’t attend a few family or social gatherings, is there is a positive change in the entire atmosphere? Begin documenting these instances to open discussion about your findings.

• Consider how to shield yourself from this downbeat environment-you may not be able to quit your job (just yet), or absent yourself from all family functions, but clear boundaries and alternative behavioral strategies can be enacted when dealing with this individual.

• When management, family (unfortunately), or certain groups enshrine a culture of negativity, it becomes all-pervasive- allowing the rotten apples power and status under the guise of competence, efficiency, reform, maintaining the status quo, etc.

• Enlist the support of other like-minded friends, family, or colleagues- time to discuss the situation with others similarly affected and devise plans to limit contact and discourse, have set responses that politely, yet firmly convey your attitudes and expectations, whenever possible, engage the help of the “powers that be”, etc.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!