One Bad Apple

One Bad Apple - Attitude is everything, when working with others. When there is a job to do, who needs a thorn in the side/bad attitude. Team work without the negative attitude, is productive and fun.

There will always be jobs we don't like to do! So, make it a point, to enjoy everything in life, easier to do, when we stay in the moment.
To all apples, take care farm girl, Yelm, WA.

Oh yes, that bad applesss.....it is more funny when you have a tree of all bad apples with a few health.....you have to shake it with tsunami:-)
Cancer is a death tissue, only surgery helps.

Ina Matijevic***

You should listen to the old adage "if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything".

Every organization has that one negative person that effects everyone.

Always try and find something positive within the negative and emphasize the positive. If nothing helps, stay clear of this negative person. Don't bring yourself down.

The biggest problem is when the negative person is the owner and/or manager of the organization. If this is the case, I sugggest finding another situation because this person, usually a Type A personality, is never going to change.

gea

I believe in all companies, they need people with good maturity. Complaining, grumbling, criticism are bad attitude and unclear communication. If we don't agree with company's goal, then the person must speak to management. Unfortunately, most company have their own management and the employees are accomplishing the company's job. And this creates overwhelmed to employee. When I made a research, only small companies who can accept employee's comments.
I hope to all attendee of Apprentice are able to speak out their thoughts to management. Not easily to back off from The Apprentice. Be strong!

I*m sorry.
and to be sure that for real learned , must first listen
and after share the impressions, now, I don*t tell the story
with the Apple right now, but for sure a.s.a.p. :)
I yield, thank you
Daniela

I hate negative attitudes --------> Period.

I am --------> Yes we can!


Jerilynn

I think the old adage of "idle hands" is also relevant here. I find that people who do not have enough to do start sniffing around looking for trouble and they usually find it. It wouldn't be so bad if they were looking to solve problems. However, usually they are more focused on highlighting everything that is wrong without highlighting solutions.

So let's keep those folks busy solving problems. When they are kept on their toes doing productive stuff, they will be less likely to go creating trouble.

If they insist on finding trouble, put it to them that they cannot highlight the problem unless they have a proposal for a solution. Try to tame that energy into finding solutions.

If they are not interested in that, then they are a liability to the organization and should be handled appropriately.

Bad apples can force good employees to grow so frustrated with their jobs that they leave. At my last job, I was one of the positive, hard-working employees, but after three months of dealing with people complaining, talking behind other peoples backs, outright lying, backstabbing, and getting stabbed in the back myself (and this was just the management), I decided I needed to follow another old adage, look out for #1, and get the heck out of there.

If you change your attitude it can go a long way. Trust me on that one.

Attitude is everything, yes, even a bad apple oh, so much care of the tree, about the flowers, the fruits periode and a bad apple at least?
any how, are years with fruits and years whitout, so better to talk
the possibility: apple pick it up and care the seeds, or stewed fruits or jam?!

I think it would be wise to investigate the bad apples in the bunch. If there is more than one bad apple then the whole barrel needs to be examined. It is not so hard for me to believe that what most call the bad apple may very well be the one most inspired. I have seen offices with many slugs and only a couple of the bad apples. Truth is the slugs have become complacent not the bad apples. When hype of this kind comes to light remember there are two sides to every story.

Humble Opinions,

Erik

Nine times out of 10 people who complain don't know what the hell they are talking about anyway. Eventually they burn themselves.

I will agree, no one likes a bad apple but I am going to have to disagree with remedies prescribed on how to cure a bad apple in the bunch. Avoidance, distance, and separation doesn't make the situation any better. These are people we are talking about, not bunches of fruit.

Construction works in small steps, like growth.
Destruction works in big steps, like catastrophes.
Therefore a couple of positive good apples can’t "unspoil" the bad apple.

I have always found that negative people often have alot of self esteem issues. Take them aside and boost them up on a regular basis. Find things, even if small to really build them up and you will see a magnicifent change in them. Often the negativity comes from feeling of being unnoticed or unappreciated and if they have self esteem issues on top of that, its a recipe for disaster.

All the best
Diana Moore
New Zealand
http://www.artschoolnz.com

So while negative people can spoil an entire office environment, a couple of positive good workers can’t "unspoil" it.

I disagree. If they are positive but not strong enough to squash the negativity out of the bad apple without having to have the boss fire them, those people need to teach the bad apple the adage "grow or go"


- Rit Man

In his article, "One Bad Apple", Donald trump speaks to a powerful issue often over looked by management teams. Often energies are spent coming around a person nurturing and encourage them "through a tough moment", perhaps that moment being undefined, and perhaps that tough moment being on going.

A Manager must bear in mind the ultimate result of his/her job is to provide for his family/home/career advancement. In the workplace, if a "bad apple" has to be constantly nurtured, it deminishes your personal productivity, focus, costing you potential reputation with your senior management, and putting your primary goal of providing at risk.

If you have an employee who is going through a personal crisis or is definable as a "Toxic personality" let a Mentor or Professional Therapist from outside your workplace nuture them back to a place of balance. Keep your Department's focus on the task at hand. If that one person's toxicity is becoming a cancer in the department, then diagnose it early and remove the growth from the department as early as is possible. If your company has support programs available for employees, make those available to this former department member to assist them in a transition. Be generous in your severance package as it's cheaper to pay severance to one "Bad Apple" than lose the productivity of an entire department, division, or worse lose your own job for not taking leadership in the matter.

Our world is filled with negative sources and messages. They bombard us day and night. It's critical that we accept ownership for our own mental well being, and over all attitude in life. It's critical, when it comes to our own inner spirit/attitude, that we maintain healthy boundaries from outside influences. It's critical that we surround ourselves by positive influences, through media, conferences, social networking and volunteering. Even the strongest person can be worn down over time. It's more difficult to do if that person is surrounding themselves with the right kind of influences and role models.

James C. Tanner
British Columbia, Canada

I have a lot of experience being around all kinds of people, from the dorms in the Air Force, to living in a fraternity, to working in corporate America.

The one thing that I found to be true is that negative people cause the most damage when they assend to positions of power. Kiss up and kick down.

instruct the other employees to ignore them on a personal level untill the behavior stops. Peer pressure is a great way to deal with not only negative emplees but problem employees in general.

Being polite, but "all buisness" is hard to watch if you see everyone else is having a good time with each other. They eventually get the message and straighten up or they leave. They will go somewhere else to find an audience stupid enough to listen to them.

Company culture is a key ingredient to make sure everyone understands whats acceptable, this requires a strong leader who can communicate this, so that any behavior which slows the companies objectives is not accepted.

I agree with user78225 (gea)'s comment:
"The biggest problem is when the negative person is the owner... "

I love what I do - but I did hate my previous job because of the way they ran the joint. I personally did not have quarrel with management (except working on Saturdays and inadequate salary) - but when it came to gossip about the company - nobody had anything good to say. One day when we had lunch with 4 very bright colleagues of mine - I was astonished how we just trashed the **** (name hidden). Came to think about it - we all were decent hard-working people, so the problem had to be the workplace environment.

After year and a half I left - although it took me 5 months and moving to different city to get my next employment - I am much better off now.
Although I've lately put in 7 days a week of working to finish major upgrade on time - I do feel that my work is appreciated and that I am part of the company - and eventually sharing the part of the success (and a lil piece from the pot of gold which is in the end of the road)

God gave you two eyes and one mouth so you can see twice as much more than you speak.

... and from this line proceed to (at least attempt to) change the world. Turn a bad apple into a productive member of the work force. In time you may not succeed in doing so, but you have to at least try, n'est ce pas?

Donald Trump, you're a nice guy. Strong, focused, with a pleasent disposition, a friendly demeanor, though this latest advice is not your best.

Perhaps you and I, (perhaps only Ivanka and I?) should sit down at a Starbucks and chat. To see if I can't bridge this mediocre rut in the ratings your Apprentice show seems to be caught in.

Together we could possibly change the world, ... for the better.

I agree with the comment made by (airplaine_country), but might I add that if in fact there is one Bad Apple so to speak, that Bad Apple may not necessarily be the problem. For instance, I have been in the management arena for many years, and I have always done my best. Honesty, Integrity, Motivation, Teamwork, Theory X & Theory Y have always been my guide A little study from Maslow could go along way for improving the visual of your Flow Process Charts. But I have noticed that within some organizational management teams, people get too comfortable in thier positions and therefore become stagnated. They also become protective of thier environment, they nolonger want to accept change. If an individual presents an idea he/she could easily be labeled a Bad Apple, and then you loose not only a valued member of your organization but you could also loose Milions, if not Billions, If an individual was in fact fausly labeled a Bad Apple becuase someone was too comfortable and wished not to be awaken while in the work area. Maurice B. Asselin Best of luck to all

I agree attitude is everything, but what about the employer that can't tell the difference between a valid complaint or an employee that likes to complain? Some employers are more happy to eliminate the "bad apples" than fix the real issues. A company can have a noble mission and the employees can have incredible ambition, but if managers don't know how to manage feedback (positive or negative) it can really bring a team down. Instead of separating a "bad apple" from the group, complaints should be addressed and the resolutions used to navigate toward better employee-employer relationships. I think it's a lack of process to manage complaints, rather than the complainer, that is the real issue.

I believe in Bad Apple, but I believe in Bad Apples too.
Unfortunately in many corporations the people that are not so brilliant and competitive make the corporations stay alive,

there can be only one king, so some times who is too ambitious has to be brought down, and "Bad Apple" tecnique is a great way to get rid of the undesired.

And it is a great deal for the individual and the company.

Most of the times there are a lot of Bad Apples complaining all the time, so if you are not in the bunch it will look like you are the complainer, becuase you don't fit in the negativity.

This is why the world has always needed leaders and always will, and history confirms this fact.

Without the sheperd the sheep would be eaten by the wolves, but the sheperd without the sheep, will just have to change job.

Welcome to the real world :)

Life, and terrific teachers of it, have taught me that One Bad Apple(s) need only to look in a mirror to see the reflection the world sees; and realize that they cannot truly be happy or successful in life living this way. If they still chose this path, others have the power to address it and say to One Bad Apple(s), "You do not promote the healthy course I am on. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to recognize that my dreams include only POSITIVE influences."

Calico Cat

I spent 3.5 years of my life waiting for the Fortune 50 company that I worked for to deal with it's 'bad apple' management team. There was absolutely no avenue for a representative to pursue to deal with the situation. There was only one or two bad apples in the management team...but that's all it took. The executives were so comfortable in their own isolated offices never being exposed to it, being awarded with their comfortable incomes (which put them in the top 1 and 2% of highest income earners in America), that they didn't even know what was happening to those that were the cash cow producers of the company, the sales representatives. All they cared about was that money kept rolling in. And, when they did find out what was happening, they were okay with that 'management style', as 'there's no law against it' and the management 'had the right to choose what management style they implemented'. Luckily for them, their negligence had only a small price to pay. When you have highly skilled workers they will produce, even in the worst of environments for the sake of paying their bills, providing for their families, health benefits, etc. And, well the executives paychecks are still rolling in to this day. Even though some have been transferred out, I'm sure their income doesn't reflect much or any consequence. And well, it would be humilating for them to take a high income earning executive and reduce his overall quality of life, right? So, transfer him out, but don't hurt his income potential. It was humilating to me to be exposed to such constant degradation and abusive behavior just for the sake of having 'an above average income' - whatever that means. They weren't giving me money, I was working for it. I went from being an extremely positive and nice person, to one that, after 3.5 years, reflected those that I was constantly being exposed to. I hated them, and I started to hate myself for becoming like them. So, when one came forward to attack me, I just left. You can call that quitting...But, let's face it, I already knew what the executives really thought - I asked them myself. Besides, they knew about it 1 year and 3 months prior to my asking them personally. I think 1 year and 3 months is more than enough time to do something about it. And even though they had only known for 1 year and 3 months (to my awareness) I had been exposed for 3.5 years. Because the executives work from a distance. Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil..philosophy. So, what else could I do at that point? I have always known you can't control another person. So, when you make those in power aware, so they can do something about it, like give the manager a position where they can work alone, and they just didn't care enough to do anything about it...what else was I to do? Besides, I'm worth more as a worker in the workforce than ever before. So, what incentive did I have to stay? Despite their 'higher than average incomes' - an income that had now become very easy for me to replace. Finally, what I learned about 'bad apples' is they associate with other 'bad apples' and they promote 'bad apples'. So, what I discoved, in addition to the information that you said in your article, was that the cycle continues. And, instead of a couple of years and them cycling out of the job and moving on elsewhere, you now get ongoing exposure. Because when the one cycles out, the other(s) will still be there. The company hired two high producing representatives because of my referral. I'm an above average producer, so I attract them. Likewise, their bad apple managment team, promoted bad apples, because they attract them.

I think it has to do with the invisible energy of the universe, where frankly I don't think that opposites attract each other. I rather think that simmilars attract each other. A person with a negative attitude and thinking creates negative aura around him/her full of negative vibrations. As a result everything that happens to him/her likely to be bad. Good things rarely happen with a negative thinker.
Menwhile a positive thinker creates vibrations what attract abbundance, money and good people.A positive thinker can detect a negative thinker very quickly. A positive thinker feel the poisinous arrows in the air and tries everything to eliminate it.
So, if positive thinking is so wonderful, why is that most of the people are still operate with low productivity and TGIF attitude?
We have 8 million millionaires in America, but is that a good rate in a country of 300 million people and countless opportunities?

Studies also show that 30% of all people will quit their jobs due to bad management. And that means, in the eyes of the executives, churn. Which means they don't have to pay your retirement. Which means theirs is more secure. And that's all some seem to care about.

Unless I'm truly ignorant, it tells me that those who lead corporate America, aren't very sophisticated. Because they take on more than they can handle, so then they have to hire, create or train 'bad apple' managers to ensure as high a churn rate of employees as possible. They keep expanding their businesses, without learning how to take care of what they currently have. It's faster and easier to get people to leave, then it is to learn what you truly have and how to take care of it and those within it.

So, unfortunately, Mr. Trump, large companies encourage 'bad apple' management teams, even though they don't want you to know it, because it helps them achieve their goal(s) of providing for themselves today and in their old age. I often ask myself, if this is really necessary? Or, only necessary in the eyes of people who aren't true leaders? CEOs who lack the skills and personal knowledge to be in the positions they are in? Meaning, I frequently see ways that large companies can easily change their focus and pocket lots of wasted money. But, usually the executives don't see that, nor focus on that. (But, if you point it out, they jump all over it, like kids sticking their hands in the cookie jar.) They simply look for the easy way out, and that's allowing 'bad apple' management to harass, abuse and stress out the workers that actually work, and bring in the money so that they'll quit. See what I mean? For every employee that they allow to be abused, and every employee who leaves because of it...could the executive have found another way, within the company structure, to 'save money' so that those employees could have been spared? Could have not had their quality of life reduced? Not just monetarily, but by not having been abused by management? Which wouldn't be necessary, if executives were looking for other measures to save money. But, it's easier to look at 'numbers' through employees pay and say, 'Oh, I see a way to save money. Let's cutout overtime. Oh, and encourage management to realize a 50% churn of sales representatives. My job's done for the year. I think I'll spend the company's money on golf trips and trips to Vegas. I need a booty call.'

By the way, that's was not a hypothetical example.

Sorry to disagree with you. The best thing to do with a negative person is to FIRE THEM! The negativity doesn't leave just because they're not in the room! I work in a group that has a negative person in it, and have seen others pick up on some of his bad habits. You can't "cure" a negative person, it's best to never hire them, or find a way to fire them. Additionally, most negative persons have a much lower work ethic--the company "owes" them, and they will slack off increasing the workload on others, and decreasing morale in general. Negative people are poison, don't try to "help" them, help them by firing them so they can find a job that they like better.

John

"Bad apple" means a person who is not doing what he or she really wants to do. Most of the times, if this person has to be fired, boss is doing a favour to him or her. These people are getting the chance to change and go for their goals.

I have an associate that can turn none communicators into communicators and bad apples into good Mr trump. You wont have any one as good as him and the reason for that is: if you are an expert in your own field you wont necessarily be accepted in another's back yard.

leomumford@gmail.com

I have discovered throughout my career thta the people most likely to complain or foster a negative attitude, have both personal, and emotional issues in the home. A lady whom I worked with for several years entertained a negative attitude everyday of the week. However, her attitude changed 2007 when she began a forthright diet and exercise program. She lost 30 lbs looked great, bought a new line of clothes, and now has a fabulous attitude. She is courtious to her fellow co-workers which has translated into a happy positive workforce.

Being excessively over weight was her particular problem which fostered a very unhappy woman who lashed out at everyone. But when she got her life under control it changed the inner and exterior woman.

Negative people suffer from a variety of issues. It can stem from not being appreciated or recognized for their work producton. It can be a financial problem (poor money management), and therefore a cloud of gloom and doom hovers continually under the umbrella of negative comments.

It takes a good listener, and one who has compassion for human kind to sort out the reasons why people are so negative. Negative people can find a rainbow of happiness in becoming positive, and positivity begins with us.

Mary Pominville

Lisa Marie hit the nail on the head. An employer that doesn't know who is lying and who isn't empowers the "Bad Apples". While management was watching those being complained about the bad apples were robbing the company blind. I worked for a man who judged the validity of a complaint by who was complaining. He also was a big liar. I was considered a bad apple because I told him what he should be told instead of what he wanted to hear. Once he asked me the wrong question at the right time. When he opened his mouth and stuck his foot in I shoved it in up to his you know what. He seemed to delight in keeping everybody pitted against once another.

"""God gave you two eyes and one mouth so you can see twice as much more than you speak."""

I love the above line. Love it!

Donald, I don't think that distance and being put in a "corner" is the answer for a negative person. Surely the more time they have on their hands, gives them more time to think of why they are being singled out. I think that that is nasty and harsh treatment. Whatever happened to the "You're Fired" motto? Put them out of their misery already. Don't pile on the misery...

[A new study from researchers at the University of Washington examined conflict in the workplace. It found that negative behavior has much more of an impact than positive behavior. So while negative people can spoil an entire office environment, a couple of positive good workers can’t "unspoil" it.]

Sounds to me the bad Apple is the winner on your team. The bad Apple won the competition ...

Make it a positive you won't regret !

Conversely it can be the team who caused the apple to rot. School yard bullies is a prime example. Bullies don't change because they are older they just get older. Too many bullies on the tree will inevitablely lead to a rotten apple or two.

[But if it’s too late and there’s already a negative person in place in your organization, the best you can do is keep him or her working alone as much as possible. The less interaction those negative people have with the rest of your team, the better. That way, their toxic attitudes won’t spread.]

This method produces anti social behaviors

Excellent comments. Only downside is when those bad apples are protected by their supervisors and not managed properly. Teamwork is utmost importance. I avoid those bad apples unless I abstolutely need to intereact with them. On occasion, they also prevent me from getting my daily goals accomplished. How do you handle that? Kind regards, Betty Ann Fuller

Taking a third read on this article it can almost apply to Mr Trump's statement no one likes American's

http://ca.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-RXxab349cqHqjFqm9VfNXKu.pw--?cq=1&p...

So in this way should we quit doing business with the USA or teach them better manners ?

Should we quit new contracts with the USA in correlation with your Bad Apple Theory ?

Your solution to stick said problem in the closet away from the rest of the team breeds dangerous anti socialist behaviors ?

Over 4 years ago, our company hired a guy who should be the poster child for negativity. Recently on a beautiful sunny day, this naysayer came in complaining about how bright the sun was on his way in to work that morning......unbelievable.

I admit at times, that I have got caught up in his drama.
Bad apples can and do suck you in from time to time.. Resist the temptation of the bad apple.

Go your own way and stay Positive. If you're in a negative work environment, find a positive arena. I did.

I got out of my comfort zone (which really a was a discomfort zone now that I look back at my situation) and spent less time with negative co-workers and found some new friends who share my positive attitude. I also started reading more success oriented and personal development materials. (Trump and Kyosaki rule!) I read the Bible more too and I found a mentor.

Now, the above for me at least, has led to business opportunites which will enable me to leave my negative workplace completely in the not so distant future.

Jack- Myrtle Beach

FIRE the EXECUTIVES!!!

Corporate america is going down south because noone cares or notices "bad apples" in executive positions

My family has been really hurt by the fact that Executives at Delta ran the company to bankruptcy - made all the employees to take huge pay-cuts & loose most their pensions - WHILE they TOOK the GOLDEN PARACHUTES out - multi-million dollar BONUSES, compensation and bankruptcy proof pension.

Nice reward for ****ing up a company which was once one of the best airlines in the world - AND NOONE SEEM TO CARE

Dear Mr. Donald Trump,

I am sorry that you cannot simply fire the "bad apples" that are ruining your bunch.

However, if you do fire them and they refuse to leave, do you not think that they could be arrested for trespassing?

Kindest regards,
Frank

Find your passion in life. What is it, that makes you so happy, so fulfilled, that it's not "work" to you, it is just who you are-when you find that, the key is to stay in that aliveness, to be able to manage it.

While I agree that negative thought in any environment is destructive (just look at the effect it has on the world stock markets). Management should never ignore or simply dismiss the sentiment or ideas put forward from its employees. Not all corporate innovations are a result of the Management. It may be the discontent in the office is due to the fact that the empoyee or employees are being ignored by Management.

I skimmed through a few posting and saw the word attitude appear a few times, so I thought of a speach I heard in 1998 at McConnell AFB, Kansas by Chief Robert Gaylor (ret). He started by assigning numbers to the every letter of the word attitude. A=1, T=20, T=20, I=9, T=20, U=21, D=4, and E=5 and they add up to 100. So what you have is 100% attitude. The Chief went on to talk about his stop at an air base in Germany, and he happened to visit the dining hall. A staff member, who was responsible for the salad bar, explained to the Chief what his responsibilities were and how proud he was to do it. The Chief's message was basically to have a great attitude regardless of what your duties are and always do your best. After all, that's all anybody can ask of you! rickyl

Mr Triump, you are totally right. I have been a witness to such a bad apple in my former place of work. It was a government institution where I taught from 2000 to 2006. In 2004, a woman came to my department on transfer. We all accepted her as a college not knowing that she was a bad apple. It was not long we discovered her true nature, as she would absent herself from duty and would plead with us to cover her; she later began to give false reports about everybody in my department to the authorities to the extent that two people that senior her were removed while she was made to head the department. We then saw her mediocrity. She was not able to perform and was relying on those of us she met on ground to teach her what to do. We then agreed to intimate the authorities in writing which we did. I only blamed the authorities that took decision without investigation. Before long everybody even in other departments knew her. She was full of lies, she would collect money from people, etc. Thank God the authorities relialized there mistake and removed her, but currently she is still in the department, but not as the head.

It is always good to be careful of people we emplo and study their charater very well because just one bad apple or egg can bring down an organization completely.

Thanks. Dauda, R.S. Nigeria

Negative people are weak-mined. They offer absolutely nothing constructive and everything destructive. They emit fear and lack of respect. They seek opportunities to spoil something.
They have no place in a boardroom, as a leader, and certainly not in friendships.
Great leaders have challeged negative attitudes. Great ideas succeed with positive and constructive attitudes. If you can share this with every single person you work with, your boss will never look down on you.
Why? Because positive spirited team memebers are highly valued in today's market.
WMcB, Montreal, Canada

You don't know the half of it trust me. At least if I write a book it will be worthwhile it won't be about some stupid fairlytale.

Don't even go there, unless you need to hear that repeated to yourself every once in awhile.

Don't ever giving up trying to get it right.

I agree that there is always one bad apple that can upset the applecart.
During episode VIII, Trump had Bill appear in place of his daughter. I can't stand Bill or his opinions because even though he won on the Apprentice I believe he has no clue as to what is going on. During episode VIII, Bill kept pointing the finger at James because he thought the guy was disruptive in the meetings. Apparently Bill did not listen to what James had said to Suyra. James told Suyra that he did not think the soccer crowd would understand the GNC half-time show. James was not saying this so that he could blame Suyra in the boardroom but actually had a legitimate complaint. James was correct because the half-time show sucked. It was very confusing and the crowd did not get involved or even understand what was going on at half-time. So, to be blunt, Bill needed to keep his mouth shut and quit pointing the finger at James for speaking up in the meeting. Instead Bill should have realized that Suyra was so anal that no one on the team could stand to work for this guy. Suyra was no leader and was extremely anal about everything. I agree with James when he said that Suyra believed that the team won previously because of him by saying, "I was the reason for the team's win". Someone ought to tell Suyra that there is no "I" in the word team. Trump made the right decision by firing anal Suyra. Good job, Trump. And, don't listen to Bill ever.

Bob

I've worked in an office where the entire company was infested with rotting fruits and vegetables, quite literally. Rosie O'Donnell reminds me of the majority of them, in terms of attitude, behaviors, and looks.

It was a nightmare that I did my best to overcome by doing the job I was paid to do and sticking to that consistently. Unfortunately, my disinterest in co-workers personal mental and emotional disorders within the workplace was misinterprited as some sort of problem of mine, and I found myself continually attacked inside and outside of the workplace.

The strangest part is that I had worked there as an intern for four summers while in college and had no indication that as a full-time employee I would be subjected to the abuse and harassment that I later experienced.

It is not an ideal or even imagineable situation for a first full-time job. I was there to work, not to become a cubicle-based mental health counselor or even a source of a sexual thrill for lesbian bosses and colleagues who were more interested in touching my front torso and commenting on what they felt.

Mr. Trump, this Rosie person disgusts me as well, and you're absolutely right to say what you've been saying. She is committing character assasination by attacking you when the real issue was that you were offering a second chance to a young person who had made a mistake. Rosie is now using "depression" as an excuse for her behavior in an attempt to manipulate sympathy from naive people. Apparently she has yet to learn to build her own self esteem rather than using chemicals and begging for others to give her self-worth. Rosie would rather douse her brain with poison and hang upside down than eat healthy and exercise consistently.

Considering that 2/3 of my superiors and coworkers spent most of their day on the phone with their psychologists/psychiatrists very loudly demanding a more powerful anti-depressant (or anti-psychotic) prescription, one could imagine how such an unstable work environment is quite a very negative influence. I've been around people who are on mind-altering drugs (yes, those "safe, non habit forming" anti-depressants) and many of them were given them simply because it boosted a doctor's office kick-backs from pharmaceutical companies. The people didn't need drugs, but took them anyway, became hooked, and became very strange people.

This company was disorganized and chaotic due to inept and abusive management (physically abusive as well as verbally and psychologically). Unsurprisingly, the company no longer exists.

Bad apples most definitely spread their diseases like a cancer and kill everything within an environment. I learned a great deal at this job about a healthy environment as opposed to a deadly one, positive stable people as opposed to psychotic drug addicts. A company cannot succeed and last into the future when it is run by people who haven't a clue how to positvely influence and motivate, hire capable workers, and know the difference between legal and illegal behaviors.

I couldn't disagree more about isolating the "complainer." In fact, I would say, put the complainer in the forefront. In my 25+ years of management, I have found that complainers truly have something to say. People need to vent. However, in venting some solution to the problem/dilemma needs to be achieved.

Isolating the complainer will only exacerbate the problem. Rather, ask this individual what the issue(s) is (are) and see if there is a solution. Maybe there will be and maybe there won't in either case you can agree to have the complainer accept "the things he/she cannot change." From there, move on.

Don't ever second guess yourself. I can make a win/win. In other words were coming along with the best intentions of all parties involved. Trust me I'm not in the achy, breaky heart business.

Also I think Frank should slow down on the liquor. Your not advertising for the beer companies now are you. I realize everyone likes to kick back and relax every once in awhile and he is your star from the Bronx but seriously that's a little much for me anyway.

Let me put it to you this way, consider yourself extremely lucky, fortune and or blessed, all three and not in any particular order. I know I do.

Yeah, well, try being one of the few good apples amongst a bunch of rotten ones! That pretty much sucks, as well. Depending on how far south the other apples have gone, sometimes there is nothing edible left -- just a rotten core. Quite a challenging situation, especially if you are not in charge but see that the persons who are in charge, are apples riddled with worm holes and watching them in action is like taking a bite out of a rotten apple -- you just have to vomit.

Negativity can be contagious just as enthusiasm can. I think we need to be objective and reasonable enough to discern why the negativity exists. Is is just because that person chronically complains about anything in his/her life, or are there things that need to be changed? Example, if the disgruntled person complains because a task is being done in a tedious, long drawn out way, which could be improved with better efficiency and productivity by making some simple changes, maybe it should be looked at. Re-inventing the wheel is not necessary, but sometimes refinement to streamline it is better. Employees can be happier when they get more work done, businesses can profit more if workers they spend less time doing mundane, routine tasks and can apply their skills to either more work (increased volume) or other work. For example, in one company I worked in they were quite pleased with their bottom line, they have been in business a long time, everyone complained about their computer system, it was from the early 1980's, they were still using it in the 1990's with no upgrades. The technology used was antiquated, the work took a long time to do. A bunch of apples kept complaining and the company listened, investigated the cost and profitability of getting a new system. They decided spending the $2 million for the custom built system would be well spent. Within 2 years their daily order volume rose from 20,000 to 80,000, all because a buch of apples upset the cart. The company is Publisher's Clearing House.

I have had the unfortunate experience of being in a situation with unpleasant employees.

In one of my most recent jobs, there was an unspoken management policy of trying to get the more senior employees to leave or quit. Senior not meaning age, although some were older, but length of tenure. I tell ya - they had their game plan with years of doing that.
There I was - always in and these other people were having a rough day. Company mission was provide the best service in the industry and we were number 1. My level back then was very regressed, however I knew something was wrong. The managers got their way and people left, eventually.
It was a company that had a merge and the way to be in everyone's favor was to max out your 401k. The management staff was limited in their 401K contribution level to the average percentage of the non-management employees. Max your 401K and Green light - go all the way. You knew it wasn't right, but there you were - on top.
So, I thought about it. In my regressed state, I took out a loan, from my 401K. Sudden loss of prestige. It seems personal matters really were not personal. Excellent education, excellent work history, excellent work product, then demotion. I hate to say that I didn't even plan it. I know I have a lawsuit - thank-you.
I decided to leave ahead of schedule. It seems that the bulk of energy was focused on the company mission of effectively limiting costs. Wasn't the mission statement something else?
I hated what went down there for many reasons. I saw a lot of sabotage and it was unnecessary. I hate to see someone who was a great employee be turned on by their manager. My lesson is to learn how to get these people (your bad apples) to talk openly and discover the source of issue. It can mean so much to just get one little thing out. And in my discussion with this treasured seasoned employee, perhaps bring them back from the wilds of despair towards efficient production civilization.
Some call this teamwork.

Sometimes there is a reason - be smart enough to understand this - a great manager manages and sometimes the person does have to go.

Hello Donald,

Re: Bad Apples--food for thought ! I believe to avoid a bad apple, focus on emotional intelligence during the interview, because this matters more than IQ. Of course the knowledge the person has re: the job they are interviewing for (MATTERS). Emotional Intelligence is something each and everyone of us must work on alone, because we all lack in different areas. When the going gets tough, the smart ones need the power of the emotional intelligent, to pull it off. We all need each other.

I would like Michael Sexton, to consider a post on (EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE) and his insight re: IQ/EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

TAKE CARE Mr. Trump and Mr. M. Sexton
farm girl, Yelm, WA.

I will never give up. What, do you think I'm stupid or something?

Dah!

You need to get a Yogenfruz stand. This actually has overshawdowed all the rest for me. Mind you I inspite of the fact I'm going totally green I still think about peanut butter chocolate ice cream once in a blue moon..

My new favorite is blueberry yogenfruz. That stuff is heavenly.

Seriously, you are going to have to try it. More than likely you would pick cherry but I'm sure you would just fall head over heals for it.

peace

Peace with Rosie? What the hell is that? Can't you get them to stop asking you stupid questions?

Hello!

One bad apple, sad but true, DT is a bad apple currently. His name will make History, the ? is what will they focus on. His lack of EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE? I believe so, so DT take a class, read a book, look within, do something to gain emotional intelligence. This request is to free you, from what others do that bother you. Think man! do you really want to give your emotional power AWAY? Hey buddy, lighten up, life is good! Also, I truly wish you the best.

Happy trails!
farm girl, Yelm WA

Hey staff member, didn't thing you would post my last blog. No worries, I know you have a job to keep. take care farm girl

Sorry Big D, I don't completely agree. Leadership is influence. A "bad apple" CAN BE an asset if real leadership is leading this group.... instead of viewing him/her as negative with an attitude problem, try valueing their opinion, but also YOU must be the leader and lead the team. The negativity this team member is exhibiting MAY BE a reaction to what was stated as the solution....basically, forced seperation, isolation and coercion."There is never a bad employee, just bad leadership!!" . If you view the "bad apple" as an infection, its the leadership and the other team members who have a problem also with stability, flexibility and vision. Just as the "bad apple", the whole group as a team, needs leadership training. Teach Success! Jeff Couture

First, complaints do not always equal bad attitude. If someone is complaining, evaluate the complaint, then acknowledge they raise an interesting point, and ask "So what do you think we should do about this?" This empowers your employee to become a solution finder, and it can result in growth and improvement. It also, puts the person who doesn't want to act but wants to undermine on the spot.

I heard a speaker once that said when you drop a pair of white gloves in the mud puddle, the mud doesn't become "glovey" but, the gloves do become muddy. It takes a lot less effort to detroy things than it does to build them.

I agree separation is the first strategy to use as you begin to address the situation. Also let the person know that his/her attitude is the one thing in the workplace that is completely in his/her control. I've heard "Attitudes are contagious - is yours worth catching?" The advice posted by member1189430 on 02/27/2007 1:52 PM is good advice to follow too.