Hello! I'm Samuel Chapman. 

I'm on a mission to show you that every product based business can flourish and grow, no matter the challenges. Regardless what you sell, or whether you have a physical or online location.

With the right knowledge, tools, and a bit of inspiration, you can achieve amazing results.

The Hidden Threat: How Negative People Sabotage Your Success

Are you struggling to stay motivated in your business? Do you feel like certain people in your life drain your energy, leaving you unproductive and uninspired? If so, you might be dealing with the Bad Apple Effect—a psychological phenomenon proving that one negative person can significantly impact an entire group.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into how negativity affects your mindset, productivity, and business success, plus actionable steps to protect yourself and your business from toxic influences.

The Science Behind Negativity: The Bad Apple Effect

The Bad Apple Effect comes from a study conducted by Will Felps and his team at the University of New South Wales. Their research found that having just one negative person in a group can reduce the entire team’s performance by 30-40%—even when the rest of the team is high-performing and motivated.

The Three Types of “Bad Apples”

Felps’ study identified three main types of negative people who cause the most damage:

1. The Jerk – Openly rude, aggressive, and critical.

2. The Slacker – Shows up but refuses to engage or contribute.

3. The Depressive Pessimist – Constantly negative, always expecting failure.

Now, think about your own business and life—do you recognise any of these types? Let’s explore how they could be holding you back.

How Negative People Hurt Your Business and Success

1. Emotional Drain

Negative people are energy vampires. They constantly complain, criticise, or resist change, leaving you emotionally exhausted. Instead of focusing on business growth, you spend your energy managing their negativity.

2. Mindset Poison

Negativity is contagious. If you surround yourself with people who doubt your ideas, criticise your dreams, or focus on failure, it’s only a matter of time before you start questioning yourself too. This can lead to self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and loss of motivation.

3. Business Sabotage

A toxic employee or colleague can lower team morale, create workplace tension, and even drive away your best employees. This doesn’t just hurt productivity—it directly impacts your business revenue and long-term growth.

4. Personal Life Impact

Outside of work, negative friends or family members can hold you back from pursuing your goals. They may criticise your ambitions, discourage you from taking risks, or make you feel guilty for wanting more from life.

The truth? The people you surround yourself with will either lift you up or pull you down.

How to Protect Yourself & Your Business from Negativity

1. Identify the Source of Negativity

Take a moment to reflect: Who in your life consistently drains your energy or brings negativity into your space? It could be a toxic employee, a client who constantly complains, or a family member who doubts your success.

2. Set Boundaries

You don’t always have to cut people out entirely (though sometimes that’s necessary). Instead, limit your exposure:

• Set clear expectations for behavior with employees.

• Reduce time spent with negative friends or family.

• Avoid engaging in unproductive negative conversations.

3. Shift Conversations to Solutions

If negativity arises in a work setting, redirect the focus from complaints to solutions. For example, if an employee constantly complains about a process, ask them for a constructive suggestion instead.

4. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

To counteract negativity, actively seek out:

• Mentors who inspire you.

• Business communities that encourage growth.

• Peers who challenge and uplift you.

5. Have the Tough Conversations

If someone’s negativity is impacting your business or personal well-being, have an honest conversation. Let them know how their actions affect you and what changes need to happen.

6. Know When to Let Go

Sometimes, the best decision is to remove toxic influences entirely. Whether it’s firing a negative employee, ending a draining friendship, or distancing yourself from unsupportive family members—protecting your energy is essential for your success.

Got questions or want to chat?

If this post resonated with you, please share it with someone who could benefit from hitting reset and setting intentional goals for their business.

I’m on a mission this year to help as many small business owners as possible have their brightest year yet, and I can only do that with your support.

Drop me a message on Instagram @productcoachsam. I’m here to help you succeed!

Samuel Chapman