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#176 | THE BAD APPLE EFFECT: WHY YOU NEED TO REMOVE TOXIC PEOPLE FROM YOUR LIFE 

  • Writer: Carter Ferguson
    Carter Ferguson
  • 12 minutes ago
  • 5 min read

This episode is sponsored by

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Jim Rohn

So, here we are at the penultimate show of the season and it’s another important one, but before we get into that let me talk briefly about last weeks show which is kinda similarly themed. It’s about Why Firing Bad Clients is Good for Business and if you are a freelancer that struggles with the day to day working of with difficult clients then it’s one you really have to get listening to.


For freelancers and creatives, surrounding yourself with the right people is critical to staying motivated and inspired. Today’s episode dives into the "bad apple effect," how negative influences impact your life and work, and how to remove them to create space for positivity and productivity.

Surround yourself with people who lift you higher. Oprah Winfrey

We’ve all heard the saying: one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. But what happens when that bad apple is a person in your life—someone who drains your energy, saps your creativity, or holds you back? Today, we’re talking about the 'bad apple effect' and how removing toxic influences can transform your life, your relationships, and your work.


And negative people don’t just affect your mood—they impact your mental clarity, focus, and energy as a freelancer or creative. By removing toxic people, you make space for supportive, inspiring relationships that help you to get on in life.


The "bad apple effect" is a study, led by Will Felps and his colleagues, which demonstrated how a single “bad apple” could significantly decrease team output and morale. This effect comes from the idea that one rotten apple in a barrel can spoil the rest. In psychology, it describes how one toxic individual can negatively affect a group’s morale, productivity, or energy.


The study identified three types of negative behaviours but if you have ever listened to my toxic archetype episodes then you will realise that there are more. Here are the three identified by the study:


  1. The “jerk”: A team member who is consistently critical or disrespectful to others.

  2. The “lazy person”: Someone who disengages and does the bare minimum.

  3. The “complainer”: A person who is always negative about outcomes or the team’s chances, sapping motivation.


The 2006 bad apple effect study highlighted some eye-opening data:


  1. Teams with a “bad apple”, a member demonstrating negative behaviour, showed 30% to 40% worse performance compared to teams without a negative individual.

  2. Morale dropped 40% in teams that had to cope with the negative behaviours of just one individual.

  3. Even when a team was made up of high-performing individuals, the introduction of a single negative member led to a significant drop in productivity and cohesion.

  4. Teams with a negative member saw creativity and problem-solving drop by 50%.

  5. These figures demonstrate how powerful and damaging the influence of a single person can be on overall team performance.

Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out. Robert Tew

And there are clear signs that someone is a "bad apple" in your life.


1. They Drain Your Energy

  • After spending time with them, you feel exhausted, discouraged, or frustrated rather than inspired or supported.

  • Example: A client who constantly criticizes your work or a friend who only talks about their problems.

2. They Undermine Your Goals

  • They make snide remarks about your ambitions or discourage you from pursuing your creative work.

  • Example: A family member who says, “When are you going to get a real job?”

3. They’re Constantly Negative

  • They focus on problems, complain frequently, or bring a pessimistic attitude to every situation.

  • Example: A colleague who always talks about how impossible it is to succeed as a freelancer.

4. They Don’t Respect Your Boundaries

  • They demand your time and energy without considering your needs or limits.

  • Example: A friend who interrupts your workday with non-urgent issues or a client who expects you to be available 24/7.

5. They Make You Doubt Yourself

  • They dismiss your ideas, belittle your achievements, or make you feel small.

  • Example: A collaborator who constantly second-guesses your creative decisions.


So needless to say there are good reasons why removing these negative people is essential:


  • Negative people Block Your Growth – they keep you stuck in old patterns, preventing you from evolving personally and professionally.

  • Negative people Drain Your Creativity - Creativity thrives in a positive, supportive environment but toxic people stifle inspiration and motivation.

  • Negative people Impact Your Confidence - Constant negativity or criticism can chip away at your self-worth and make you doubt your abilities.

  • Negative people Waste Your Time and Energy - Time spent dealing with toxic people is time that could be used to work on meaningful projects or nurture positive relationships.


Now, it’s easy for me to say remove these negative people from your life but how can you do it? Understand that you can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people you choose to be around.


Step 1: Identify the Bad Apples

  • Reflect on the people in your life and ask:

·       “Who consistently drains my energy?”

·       “Who makes me feel small or discouraged?”

·       “Who adds stress or negativity to my life?”


Step 2: Set Clear Boundaries

·        Politely but firmly communicate your limits.

·        Example: “I can’t take calls during my work hours, but I’d be happy to catch up this weekend.”

·        For clients: Be clear about your scope of work and availability.


Step 3: Gradually Distance Yourself

·        For personal relationships, limit your time with negative individuals.

·        Example: Spend less time engaging with them and prioritize relationships that uplift you.


Step 4: Let Go When Necessary

·        If boundaries and distance don’t work, it may be time to cut ties altogether.

·        Example: Politely end a toxic client relationship by saying, “I don’t think I’m the right fit for this project anymore.”


Step 5: Replace Negativity with Positivity

·        Actively seek out relationships that encourage and inspire you.

·        Example: Join creative communities, work with like-minded collaborators, or nurture friendships with supportive people.


So, what are the Benefits of Letting Go of Bad Apples?

·        More Energy and Focus - Without negativity weighing you down, you’ll have more mental space to focus on what matters.

·        Renewed Creativity - A positive environment fuels inspiration and motivation.

·        Increased Confidence - When you surround yourself with supportive people, you feel more confident in your work and decisions.

·        Better Relationships - Letting go of toxic people makes room for healthier, more meaningful connections.


The people you surround yourself with directly impact your energy, creativity, and success. Letting go of negative influences isn’t just about protecting yourself though—it’s about making room for the relationships and opportunities that help you thrive.


Your call to action today is to reflect on your relationships and ask: “Who in your life is a bad apple? What’s one step you can take to set boundaries or to let them go?” I want you to replace one negative relationship with a positive one. Let go of those who bring you down and surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you.


In next week’s show, the final episode of the series, I’ll be looking at five productivity lies that are keeping you back.

Let me end today with some words from Benjamin Franklin who said A rotten apple quickly infects its neighbour.

Now take control of your own destiny, keep on shooting, get rid of those bad apples, and replace them with goo and join me next time on Film Pro Productivity and Success

The Bad Apple Effect

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© 2018 Carter Ferguson - Film Pro Productivity

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