Bad is 5X Stronger Than Good
Bad pollutes good. Pour good water into polluted water and you have more polluted water. Negative experiences usually cling longer and captivate our attention more than positive.
Throwing some good into some bad only damages the good.
Proportions:
Enough good renders bad ineffective. But, the proportions are disproportionate. Efficiency says, removing the bad is your better option.
One of my favorite chapters in, “Scaling Up Excellence,” by Robert Sutton and Huggy Rao is, “Bad is Stronger Thank Good: Clearing the Way for Excellence.”
Successful leaders eliminate:
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Bad practices.
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Stifling processes.
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Nasty people.
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Destructive attitudes.
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Negative beliefs.
It’s not enough to accentuate the positive. You have to eliminate the negative.
“Excellence depends on a process that enables people to prevent and eliminate destructive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.” Sutton and Rao
Send the bully home and the kids come out to play.
4 Ways to “Break Bad:”
- Nip it in the bud. Quickly deal with lack of cooperation, rudeness, laziness, or self-serving behaviors. When you see bad, shine a light on it.
- Get rid of bad apples. If you can’t remove them, put them all on the same team. With effective leadership they may produce dramatic results. Plus, they won’t pollute the “good” teams.
- Plumbing before poetry. Get moving on the gritty, small aspects of moving forward. A series of small useful wins helps dilute the power of negative.
- Time shifting. Get people to think about the person they hope to be, not just the person they are now.
The list above is four of the eight ways to break bad listed in, “Scaling Up Excellence.”
Leaders have more power to eliminate
bad than anyone else on the team.
Research on bad is stronger than good:
Measuring our Mood at Work
Bad is Stronger than Good (source of the 5 to 1 ration)
Ha! Only 5X?? Put one part per million of many chemicals into water and it causes cancer. And I have always read that it is it takes 9 truths to overcome one lie in trust building situations. There is just so much toxicity out there and it appears in so many ways.
I also think a lot of this stuff happens accidentally and is non-intentional. “Shift Happens” and the pin hits the balloon and people just shift away.
There is a very interesting long thread on psychopaths in the workplace in one of my LinkedIn groups — the basic anchor is that there are psychopathic behaviors that often appear in normal people and I have written about how that known psychopaths actually have some good behaviors to model when it comes to things like time management (grin) — but that the basic behaviors are often seen OCCASIONALLY in normal people.
Bad is BAD. And only a few can screw things up for the majority. On the other hand, a little chaos does help to generate innovation and considered alternatives.
Yeah, if you have that bad apple and your sincere efforts to help them adjust don’t work. then change things.
“Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and just annoys the pig.”
On the other hand, we judge ourselves by our intentions; we judge others by their behavior.”
Maybe we just need people to step back from the wagon, quit pushing and pulling, and look at what is happening with a bit more perspective. Perspective is a good and useful thing.
So is having FUN out there!
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Thanks Dr. Scott. Always enjoy your comments.
I think arguing over the ratio is negative! 🙂
Yeah, but don’t two negatives make a positive? (grin)
I actually DO think bad can be good it the bad gets things bad enough that people actually do something about it.
It might just be non-alignment or lack of ownership involvement or just a whole different viewpoint about how things should work. I think understanding intentions and desired outcomes is good. I also think that “unintended outcomes” is a reality (noting that there is actually no such thing and that a GOOD analysis of the situation would have foreseen such a problem).
The concept of Spectator Sheep is one I have used for years. The idea is that you can imagine sheep on the hillside in the background going, “Naaaaaaa. Baaaaaa.” and watching everyone else doing things. But maybe everyone is actually doing things “badly” and that the perspective of the sheep offers up a different paradigm.
The Bad Guys may be nasty, but are they NICE Nasty like one of your old girlfriends? (grin)
Deal with the poor performers who are sabotaging the workplace. But also understand the underpinnings since there might actually BE a pony under all that huge pile of pony crap.
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Love the new site! Very impressive
Still working on it.. thanks for the feedback.
Is it just me or did the theme change??? LOL looks great if it is just me!!!!
Great post D!
Here is the thing…….do not take in stuff you then have to eliminate!!!!!!!!!!!!
I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW!!!!!!!!!! We ONLY have 1/60 Billionth of a second to choose to react or respond!!!!!!!!!! I GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got to be QUICK!!!!!
I am just saying we have a CHANCE!(dumb and dumber reference)
The mind is a wonderful thing! The most complex complicated multifunctioning machine ever created! Learn how to use it more effectively or don’t!
Here is a suggestion, just using the power of suggestion here for a second if that is cool!
Decide RIGHT now to become a Directed Specific! Quit being a Wandering Generality!
Do accomplish this you GOTTA PRACTICE! Not just practice but BEST PRACTICE, EFFECTIVE PRACTICE!
Thoughts only become real when we replay them over and over in our minds! Just practice not taking in negative crap in your incredible mental machine!
Bottom line, we do more to avoid pain that gain pleasure…fact of human behavior.
Evening news mostly negative….they report that stuff cause folks pay more attention to it!
Rise above it Grasshoppa!!!!!! THINK!!!!! Use your power of choice wisely!!!
We all have ANTS(Automatic Negative Thoughts) could replace them with ENTS(Effective New Thoughts). Do it on your own, good luck with dat! Ok speaking for me only, I could not replace them without help!
Need help, just google getting a better understanding of how the human mind works!
The depth of the info about neuroscience is ASTOUNDING!!!!!
This really cool dude Kenrick Cleveland has great ways to learn cool new stuff!
This thingy called Mindspa is at the top of my wish list!
Lastly, the best way not to taste something awful……..don’t put it in your mouth! Look, think, decide what enters your mouth!!!! Works for the mind with practice too!
GREAT stuff Dan!
Many Thanks,
SP
EA
Thanks Scott. Because we think so quickly, learning how to deal with the negative stuff seems like the most useful practice.
AMAZING! I am preaching on this tomorrow.
Proverbs 22:10 – Throw out the mocker, and
you’ll be rid of tension, fighting and quarrels.
Titus 3:10 – If people are causing divisions among you, give a first
and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
Thanks Ferrell. Tough truths! Glad you joined this conversation.
There is one that says, Rebuke the mocker and the simple will be made wise. (Or something like that) But, I think the idea is the way we deal with negative behaviors sends a message to others, too.
Throw out the dirty bathwater without really understanding it and you might not find the baby around the house anymore. But it may be quieter and you might now be able to get a good night’s sleep… Hmmmmm.
What WOULD Jesus Do? How does leadership deal with differences of opinion and belief?
Oh yeah…..one more thing….I am now using your content from this blog post in my sermon tomorrow…..and ah, I’m just gonna pretend I thought of it. Just so ya know. Bahaha!
LOL …. way to go preacher boy!! 😉
Dan, you have hit the bull’s eye again!
Some bosses believe they should be respected by every person that reports to him/her. They expect everyone to be happy and be good team players. Most of the time that can actually be achieved. We have all enjoyed the benefits of being in that kind of happy work environment, and strive to do it continuously.
But, not every person who enters the organization will fit. Some decide not to fit; others can’t, no matter how hard they try. There is nothing more destructive to the morale of workers than to have a malcontent who rejects the boss’ agenda and refuses to support follow workers dedication to their tasks. If after a reasonable effort by the boss and fellow workers it is obvious that the miss-fit is in the wrong place, the boss will do everyone a favor by helping that person find a place somewhere else that happiness can be found.
I’m in favor of a work place where everyone fits, knows they are appreciated and everybody is happy!
Jimmy Collins
Thanks Jimmy. One of the hard things to realize is – that new hire is a bad fit. So, you work to make it work.
What do they say, Hire slow and fire fast.
Thanks for your optimism too… Most of the time things can be worked out… It’s good to have a positive note. Cheers
Hi Dan! A very thought-provoking post! By the way, loving your new format!
Diana
Thanks Diana. We’re working on it.
I think the bad is stronger than good idea doesn’t always sit well with us. I still believe that over the long haul good wins. 🙂
Well just in case you want 1000% proof Dan.
Enter a dark room, turn in the tiny-est bit of light……dark scatters!
Enter a light room, introduce the tiny-est bit of darkness….NOTHING HAPPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah I can’t spell but the example is 1000% truth so you really gonna discount it cause I can’t spell and can’t figure out spellcheck??? hehe
It is all cool, good is on the right side and will always prevail!
SP
EA
I echo the many “congrats” you’re receiving on your new, enhanced and dynamic design, Dan. It’s looking and feeling good. Continued blessings and success be to you.
This is still another stimulating, thought-provoking and real, live, breathing issue for leadership today…and an emotional, time-consuming and costly one. Personally, I’ve never been one to try to rehab “professionals” who have been in our organization who choose neither to “fit it” or “stand out.” I’ve almost always found it’s a simple matter they are unhappy and they are inadvertently or indirectly telling me it’s time for a change of environment.
I sort-of liken “bad behavior” and “unhappy people” to a chick inside the shell of an egg…kicking violently to break into a new world. The mother can’t crack the shell; only the chick inside the egg can. However, I believe it’s our job–our responsibility, our obligation–as leaders to provide a proper and smooth “outlet” for this outgoing staff member–which completes our mission as professionals and mentors, and offers this once contributory person also a sense of completeness with us and our organization. That seems like the least–and perhaps the most–we can do.
Thanks Rick. Here’s the way Sutton and Rao say it in Scaling Up Excellence, “The best bosses nip bad behavior in the bud but treat people with dignity in the process.” — That’s the feel I got from your comment.
One CEO who acts this way was described as a “compassionate hardass.”
I totally agree. In my opinion, the most important skill of a leader is this the ability to identify, articulate, and correct what it going wrong in a timely and positive way. The good will not prevail until the bad is removed.
Thanks Jeff. KaPow!! Love that last sentence.
Great post — when leaders can learn to be intentional with their behavior and with their communication– understanding the power and influence they have in their organization to increase employee engagement– it will affect the key measures of productivity and profitability. As leaders, we need to begin with ourselves.
Every day, we have 3-5 seconds to make that “first impression” in any encounter–thereafter, every additional second, moment, thought, meeting either supports that impression or confuses the others in our group or organization — thereby taking away from that standard. Leaders need to model that “good behaviour” and then hold their leadership accountable to that culture standard…. catch someone “doing something right” and recognize them for it. You can’t change anyone — but you can change yourself and your environment so that it becomes very uncomfortable to be around the positive vibe. One of my clients said he tells his team — “each of us is either GREEN and GROWING or RIPE and ROTTING. What does your behavior say about you?” Needless to say…they are green and growing! BTW–great visual with this post!
Man Jan, that was GREAT!!!!! Got me all fired up!
You know what we also have preceding those 3 to 5 seconds to make an impression???? The opportunity to have our own house in order which in part includes our clearly defining our INTENTION! Then state your Intention and KEEP YOUR WORD. Respect!
I was a Boy Scout, we had this song, “Oh Be Prepared”! I won’t go into the whole thing! Just never realized the wisdom I was singing, way back then.
One can pay attention, realizing when one knocks on the door of opportunity, WORK answers!
Becoming a Laser Guided Directed Specific instead of a LAZY REACTIVE WANDERING GENERALITY, takes work!
Only 3 kinds of people(in this example lol)
Those that make things happen
Those that watch things happen
Those that wonder what happened?
Which do you think Laser Guided Directed Specifics are?
Two paths, taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.
SP
EA
Cool thing is after the habits are grooved the work flows naturally. What habits are you grooving?
Thanks Jan. You instill a sense of urgency in me as I read your comment. Then you nail it with “green and growing or ripe and rotting.” Powerful!
Glad you enjoyed the rotten apples. 🙂
Thanks for speaking the truth. The fruit will always reveal the root. If the leadership team has negativity and low morale it will show up later in our processes and productivity.
Thanks Todd. In Scaling Up Excellence, they show research that indicates if you add one dysfunctional team member to a functioning team, productivity drops by 30% to 40%. That’s painful!!
I didn’t think this was a very useful blog at all. Used most of his 300 words referencing other work and did not grab me in the slightest.
Key missing ingredient – authentic storytelling.
Regards, Jeanette
Sent from my iPhone
Thanks Jeanette. Glad you took time to share your thoughts.
I resonate deeply with four of the five items on your list. I have problems with the terminology of “eliminate the nasty people.” What happens if I subscribe to a world view that says that transformation is possible, and the exclusion is one of the ways of perpetuating the nastiness? Is there as way to frame this so we don’t continue the problem that contributed to nastiness in the first place?
Dear Dan,
I appreciate the ideas and suggestions. You have covered very important points about bad apples. I reinforce your points of effective leadership and torching light on bad apples. Foremost, effective leadership can influence them for positive behavior. It can be done by inhibiting and discouraging behavior that is toxic in nature. Leaders should avoid listening negative things about employees from anyone. Secondly, torching light on them can expose their true face in front of everyone. They flourish when other listen to them and hence they find place to position their ideas.So, it is equally important that those who pay attention to bad apples keep making distance.
Giving strong signal in the organization is very important to deal with bad apples. Such signals can be behavioral, performance related and spreading negative news about employees. I see bad apples in the terms of their behavior and attitude. The most important things I have observed about bad apples in the organization is that they try to gain access to every one so that they can get something and make story out of it. So, if people avoid them or do not listen to them, they start becoming weak. So, it is important to take such steps where they can be weaker.
Hi Dan,
An apt post.
There is evidence in the world to show that it needs four to five good deeds to reverse the perception of one bad one. This is what forms significant parts of Customer Relationship and Recovery strategy for nimble footed and market oriented organisations.
A while back I had also mused on this aspect in a post ,” My Bad is stronger than my Good.
http://esgeemusings.com/2012/09/02/my-bad-is-stronger-than-my-good/
I take this opportunity to quote from that which I see relevant here.
“……….I look inwards and sense that I too am more motivated to avoid bad self perceptions than to pursue good ones.I muse and wonder why this is so. Could this be because ‘Bad’ signals that I need to change? And does my ‘Bad’ intuitively push me to adapt and change myself in line with a situation or environment? So does ‘Bad’ condition me to become more flexible and adaptive to an ever-changing world? Is this why my Bad is stronger and thus more relevant than my Good?”
Loved the post.
Shakti
Good article. Unfortunately, “bad” is not always blindingly obvious. It can be deceptive, even appealing. What happens when the “bad apple” is cloaked under “manipulative high performer” and the leader does not see what other team members are seeing? Curious to learn your thoughts.
Dan,
Great post and very timely. One of my teams is in the midst of an amazing business turnaround and has built some fantastic momentum. That said, there is one “bully” in the mix and it is incredible (and sad) how drastically that this one bad apple can sour the whole effort. We are working to actively address it now, but had been trying to just keep moving under the hope that the good would overwhelm the bad… And it wasn’t enough. Your framing is really helpful and I will be sharing this with my teams this week. Thanks!