The Rotten Orange Effect: When a Bad Element Destroys Your Team

WARNING: WHAT YOU DON'T ELIMINATE, ELIMINATES YOU

In teams —as in life— Whoever works with you kills you or raises youThere is no middle ground.

Close your eyes to a “polluting element” (whether it's a toxic person, outdated processes, or flawed communication) is sign the death warrant of your company or social circle.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A “ROTTEN ORANGE”?

It's not always obvious at first, but its signs are clear:

The chronic complainer: “Nothing works here”.
The evader of responsibility: “That’s not my problem”.
The passive-aggressive liar: He smiles in front of you, but sabotages behind the scenes.
The resistant to change: “We’ve always done it this way”.

The damage is not instantaneous, but it is deadly.: like a rotten fruit, it contaminates everything around it.

THE DOMINO EFFECT: 3 IRREVERSIBLE CONSEQUENCES

Collective demotivation → The team loses energy and purpose.
Loss of confidence → Conflicts are hidden and fester.
Free fall in results → Individual survival replaces teamwork.

“A bad element doesn’t just reduce productivity; it poisons the culture.”

ANTIDOTES: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENT

1. BRUTAL (BUT RESPECTFUL) FEEDBACK CULTURE

Awkward dialogues before that the cancer spreads.
Example: “Juan, your attitude at the last meeting had X impact. How will we resolve it?”

2. ZERO TOLERANCE TO TOXIC BEHAVIORS

Clear warnings → Improvement plan → Disengagement if persists.
“I prefer a small, aligned team to a large, dysfunctional one.”

3. LEADERSHIP THAT ACTS, NOT WAITS

Monitor for signs: Absenteeism, gossip, passive resistance.
Practical example: If someone is late 3 times in a week, take action immediately.

4. PROCESSES THAT PROTECT CULTURE

Hiring for values (not just technical skills).
360° assessments to detect “blind spots” of toxicity.

FINAL REFLECTION: HOW MUCH DOES TOXIC INEFFICIENCY COST YOU?

Economic cost: A toxic employee can cost up to 3 times his salary in losses (according to Harvard Business Review).
Emotional cost: Stress, talent turnover, hours wasted on unnecessary drama.

Uncomfortable but necessary questions:

That “rotten oranges” are you ignoring today?
That concrete action will you take this week to eliminate them?
Are you willing to lead with courage or would you rather continue paying the price?