The Case of The Bad Apple Dealing With a Bad Teammate

By Anna Svedberg – an intern with Hult Labs. Currently pursuing a Masters in International Business at Hult International Business School. It’s Monday morning, 7:15am, and the alarm goes off at John Smith’s* apartment. A graduate student in International Business, John is back from a few days of vacation; he’s excited and energized to start a new Module and meet his new teammates. What he didn’t know was that this would become the most challenging team experience – ever. First of all, let’s be real: it’s impossible to get along with everyone. We all have different beliefs of what constitutes a good performance and we all have different goals (perhaps one teammate is satisfied with a passing grade, while other members are striving for no less than an â€Å"A†). With that said, working in teams might be the most challenging aspect of attending business school. However, some teams end up nearly perfect; everyone contributes, is respectful, on time, open for feedbackand the list goes on. Before we go further into John’s tale of a team gone bad, I want to touch on the last topic I wrote about, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), which also plays a big role in effective teamwork. In his book, Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman states that â€Å"The single most important element in group intelligence, it turns out, is not the average IQ in the academic sense, but rather in terms of emotional intelligence. The key to a high group IQ is social harmony. It is this ability to harmonize that, all other things being equal, will make one group especially talented, productive, and successful, and another – with members whose talent and skill are equal in other regards – do poorly.† Certainly, maintaining social harmony within your team is easier said than done. As we all know, some teams end up being a disaster; and it’s typically one bad apple, or problematic teammate, that poisons the entire team. For John Smith, this was the case. Having a problematic teammate caused stress among all members, requiring them to pitch in more than their share in order to salvage a team project – and their grade in the class. A student myself, I was surprised to hear about the troubling teammates behavior; no doubt its a huge challenge to deal with, when we dont always have all the proper training and tools on how to handle a problematic teammate. I asked John if any action had been taken and what he would have done differently if he could do it all over again. He expressed the following: â€Å"The school did take some actions in the form of questioning the team and talking about the issues, but it was only kumbaya and nothing serious. â€Å"What would I have done differently? That’s a very difficult question, for which I would need to go into very small details. Of course some of my actions would have been different: for example, not giving that student anything important to do, etc†¦but I mean that cannot be the solution teamwork means working in a team. But unfortunately, it currently means that the few good ones do the work for everyone else. So how can teams create or preserve the social harmony that Goleman encourages in order to establish effective teamwork? According to the Fortune Group, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, don’t confront someone in anger. Even if the situation is completely unacceptable, confronting someone in anger will most likely just have that person feeling attacked and the situation will just spin off into an emotional disaster. So before you decide to face one of your teammates regarding their behavior, get your emotions in check. Nevertheless, confrontation should be done as soon as the issue appears. If not, you might lose control over the situation. Another tip: confrontation should be done in private. This does not mean that you should take the teammate into a private room with the door closed, but rather confront the person in a one-on-one situation, when the other teammates are not around. It could be done in a very casual setting, such as while getting coffee or walking down the hallway. Then, be specific: use factual information and evidence to back up your case, focusing on specific behavior. Be careful not to bring in impressions or gossip into the conversation; getting into too much detail might only make the situation more complex with unnecessary accusations. You should support your allegations with data whenever possible. Tell your teammate what he or she has done, how you feel about those actions and why you feel that way (but remember, stay calm). Finally, be clear; don’t include praise in the conversation just because you feel bad about bringing up your assertions. Just be honest and keep it straight. As I already mentioned, creating social harmony is obviously easier said than done. But what’s important to keep in mind is that even though bad behavior is unacceptable, as demonstrated above, attacking the bad apple will not improve the situation, but will most likely disrupt the social harmony of the entire team and when you lose it, it can be hard to get back. And since you can’t actually â€Å"fire† people from your team, you have no other choice than to resolve the situation as best as you can. But wait what if you actually could fire people from your team? After all, isn’t that how it works in the real world? In my opinion, that might be a good solution. Not only does it enable the team to preserve its social harmony, but it’s also a way to ensure that no team member is a free-rider and gets a good grade just because the rest of the team works their butts off. So what would a fired team member end up doing instead? Well, the professor could either assign a completely different, individual, assignment or have the student complete the same type of project as the team, but of course, on an individual basis. Sound harsh? Maybe. But since we are in control of our own behavior and choices that we make, the possibility to get fired can prevent bad behavior altogether. Being aware of the fact that you can get fired from your team might actually enhance people’s work ethic and motivation! There’s no doubt John Smith will remember this experience for life. Yet, he certainly learned a lot from it. Not only did he get the chance to practice on dealing with an extremely challenging situation (a great leadership skill), but he also knows how he can moderate the occurrence in a similar situation. For instance, he may initiate a team meeting before the team starts doing any actual work in order to encourage and set standards for commitment. At least he may notice early on if someone is not demonstrating buy-in and can then take appropriate action. The ability to fire members from your team is just one solution. Perhaps you don’t agree that’s a manageable one, or maybe you just have other ideas in mind. Either way, we’d love to hear what your solutions are, so please feel free to leave comments. *Names have been changed. If you would like to find out more about our business programs,  download a brochure here. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog Hult scores in top 20 in The Economist’s Which MBA? ranking for 2019. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .