- Great Teams - Better Leaders 123
- Posts
- 🏆 The Leader vs. the Bad Apple.
🏆 The Leader vs. the Bad Apple.
Why do certain groups add up to be greater than the sum of their parts while others add up to be less?
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21ff1831-7b63-4501-a7d4-e6e2f13ee33b/apple.png?t=1702522083)
Good morning! A warm welcome to the 102 new subscribers who joined 6600+ others this week. We are happy to have you on board!
Here's what's coming:
The Leader vs. the Bad Apple 🏆
Some Pele GOLD 🏅
Kobe Video via Alan Stein Jr. 🏀
Read Time ~ 5 minutes.
Let's dive in
🏆 TEAM LEADER OS: The Ultimate Leadership Resource for Coaches
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/02179cf2-1b0d-46aa-9ddd-7216b3959033/Marketing_LOGO_for_Team_Leader_OS.png)
"After spending several hours watching 'The Team Leader OS: The Ultimate Leadership Guide,' I have learned more than I did my previous 37 years as a head coach when it comes to leadership. It had a huge impact on how I reflect on questions about leadership. This course contains many great strategies to help you develop leaders and give them the tools to succeed. I highly recommend this course to EVERY coach, no matter what level you coach, because it will help you develop leaders!!!" - Dave Cresap (HOF Basketball coach from Perham, MN)
Use the Coupon Code = “SAVE35” through August 13, 2023.
ADs: Check out Great Team Better Leaders PRO. Get ALL coaches access to the Team Leader OS, along with a growing list of Coach the Coaches PD Videos, a Leadership Council Curriculum, and more! Check it Out Here.
💭 ONE THOUGHT
🏆 The Leader vs. the Bad Apple.
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21ff1831-7b63-4501-a7d4-e6e2f13ee33b/apple.png?t=1702522083)
In chapter one of his book, The Culture Code, Daniel Coyle discusses an experiment that really resonated with me.
It was called the Bad Apple Experiment.
Daniel Coyle began his book by asking the following question:
Why do certain groups add up to be greater than the sum of their parts while others add up to be less?
As a coach, these questions really intrigued me. This is what culture, leadership, and success are all about.
As coaches, this is what we strive to answer every season. This is one huge reason I am passionate about writing about Coaching, Leadership, Culture, and Teams.
What makes great teams great?
I believe that Culture WINS. I believe a strong culture must be in place for a team to win consistently.
How do a group's inner workings impact a team's culture?
This was studied in “The Bad Apple” experiment by Will Felps, who studied organizational behavior at the University of South Wales in Australia.
Nick wanted to study the three negative archetypes affecting a group or team: The JERK, the SLACKER, and the DOWNER.
So what did he do?
He found a guy they called “Nick” and put him on each team. His job was to sabotage the team on purpose.
In one case, he was the “Jerk,” in another, he was the “Slacker,” and in another group, he was the “Downer.” They wanted to see how Nick’s negative behavior could impact or sabotage the team.
So what happened?
As expected, Nick was good at being bad. In almost every group, over and over again, his behavior hurt the quality of the group’s performance by 30-40%.
This occurred no matter the negative role Nick portrayed.
When Nick was the “Downer,” everyone came to the meeting energized and excited to begin. Nick acts quiet and tired and eventually lays his head on the desk. Over time, the group members began to act this way, tired, quiet, and low energy.
This continued for ALL of the groups. No matter his negative role, Nick's behavior led to a tremendously negative impact on the team.
Except for one!
One group was different. So different that it upset Nick. Nick knew what he was doing. He was able to influence all other teams negatively. But not this group.
To Nick, this group was different. He was not able to get through to them. It frustrated Nick. He was so good at being bad!
But why? What happened?
Nick said it was because of one guy. One person, who they called Jonathon, with his quiet, steady voice and an easy smile.
But what did Jonathon do? He didn’t look like he did much differently. But to Nick, his subtle approach made all of the difference.
Nick would try to be a jerk, and Jonathon would lean in, use body language, a laugh, or a smile, and de-escalate or minimize the behavior.
Jonathon was a master “deflector,” a master “pivoter.” He did this over and over again. He never let Nick win.
The simple, subtle words kept people in the group thinking about the task. He did not let any negative behavior enter the room. He would deflect it with humor, a comment, or an actionable response.
Others followed. Negativey refused to be let in their group. Even Nick found himself second-guessing his negative behavior and wanting to be a positive member of the group.
This group performed with so much more success than the others.
They had chemistry. They had trust. They had a purpose.
They won.
I love this story because it tells us how one person can greatly impact a team, group, or organization.
Our attitude, our mindset, and our leadership matter A LOT.
Negative energy or negative behavior can quickly sabotage a team. And most often does unless held accountable or addressed.
However, the other side of the coin is also incredibly true.
Leadership Matters!
One person can have a tremendously positive influence on a group or team.
One person can be a leader who keeps the group or team moving forward.
Great team leaders neutralize any negative behavior or energy on a team. They do not let negative energy take over the team.
Team LEADERS:
Do NOT fall victim to the “Narrative of Negativity”.
▪️ Choose Positivity
▪️ Build others Up
▪️ Have a Growth Mindset
▪️ Be a Competitor
▪️ Have a “Next Play” MentalityBe the “Hope” your team needs. “Make the Play” your team needs. Be a LEADER.
— Greg Berge (@gb1121)
12:30 PM • Jan 14, 2023
This story reminds us of the importance of purposefully developing our team leaders. It also reminds us of the importance of holding teammates accountable and addressing negative behavior when you see it.
Culture is Every Day.
Remember always to address the “Bad Apple” head-on when he or she surfaces.
And finally, be purposeful in developing your team leaders. It will make your team, season, and coaching career much more enjoyable and successful!
Good Luck!
📜 TWO QUOTES
"The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning."
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination."
🐦 THREE TWEETS
Six factors of team success:
1. Talent
2. Mental toughness
3. Leadership
4. Team cohesion
5. Team chemistry
6. Schemes— Sports Psychology (@SportPsychTips)
11:00 PM • Jun 20, 2023
In 2007, Kobe Bryant taught me a powerful lesson that changed my life forever: the best never get bored with the basics. This resonated so strongly that it immediately become the foundation of my life’s philosophy. He made me realize that just because something is BASIC, it… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— Alan Stein, Jr. (@AlanSteinJr)
3:29 PM • Jun 20, 2023
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment!
The CHOICE between elite & average is YOURS!
“When you are not Hungry, you become Average!”
- Kirby Smart
“Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.”
- Pat… httptwitter.com/i/web/status/1…p
— Drew Maddux (@DrewMaddux)
10:20 AM • Jun 19, 2023
🙋🏼♂️ POLL QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
When it comes to team dynamics, which factor do you believe has the greatest impact on overall team performance? |
Last Week’s Poll Results:
What do you believe is the most important step to building self-confidence as an athlete?
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/cca1640a-e037-4736-81c9-84be524980e3/image.png)
📚 BOOKS & FREE RESOURCES
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9870328a-fc3d-4434-8fa0-46285ec4bd15/resources_image.png)
Find FREE books and resources at gberge.gumroad.com
👀 LOOKING FOR MORE?
When you are ready, here are a few ways I can help you:
Team Leader OS: The Ultimate Leadership Resource for Coaches. A flexible, practical, and meaningful way to grow and develop the team leaders on your team. Loaded with 300+ pages of leadership resources and 200+ minutes of video for coaches and athletes.
Great Teams Better Leader PRO: ADs - get access to the Team Leader OS for ALL the coaches in your school. Also included are the Coach the Coaches PD videos, Coaching Resources, and the Leadership Council Curriculum.
Interested in Sponsoring an Issue? Reply to this email, and I will get you the info.
Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]
Reply