Build A Better Business

One Bad Apple: The Cost of Keeping the Wrong Person We’ve all seen it. The top performer who treats coworkers poorly. The employee who causes constant tension but never faces consequences. The person who’s “too valuable” to hold accountable. In this episode, we tackle a leadership issue many avoid — the real cost of keeping the wrong person for too long. While leaders may justify the behavior in the name of results, the hidden damage shows up in trust, morale, turnover, and culture. This conversation is honest, reflective, and necessary — especially for leaders who want to build healthy, sustainable teams. In this episode, we explore: What actually qualifies as a “bad apple” (and what doesn’t) Why leaders tolerate toxic behavior longer than they should The hidden costs leaders rarely calculate How keeping one person can quietly drive away many others What real leadership looks like when standards matter Reflection Questions: What behaviors are being tolerated on your team right now? Who might be paying the price for that tolerance? Where have standards become suggestions? What message does your leadership send when behavior goes unaddressed? Resources Mentioned: The Mindful Leader Experience – leadership development for leaders who want clarity, confidence, and consistency - https://www.lftconsult.com/themindfulleader What Training My Dog Taught Me About Leadership – leadership lessons taught in a fun and practical way- https://www.lftconsult.com/leadership-book