Have you ever noticed what happens when you leave a rotten orange in a fruit bowl? It doesn’t take long for the mould to spread to the neighbouring fruit, quickly spoiling the entire bowl. This same phenomenon can occur in your organisation, creating a toxic workplace and creating bigger challenges when it comes to managing change. While negativity is contagious and can determine whether a change initiative thrives or fails, positivity has the same effect.
In any change process, your employees’ mindset and attitudes are pivotal to success. If negativity starts to creep in, it can spread like rot, undermining even the best-laid plans. Conversely, when positivity flourishes, it can strengthen your entire organisation, turning even the most complex transformations into opportunities for growth. So, how can you make sure your change is a success story, not a spoiled fruit bowl?
Spotting the rotten oranges
Negativity during change often starts small, just like that first orange in the bowl. It might begin with a handful of employees feeling uncertain, resistant, or frustrated. These feelings are natural, but if not addressed quickly, they can infect the broader team. Complaints multiply, misunderstandings fester, and soon, a culture of scepticism and resistance takes hold.
What’s worse, negativity is highly contagious. Once it sets in, it can ripple through departments, infecting even the most positive team members. Suddenly, what should be an exciting opportunity for growth turns into a battle against cynicism and disengagement. This is now a toxic workplace.
Working in a toxic workplace is not fun
Unfortunately, experiencing a toxic workplace may be the only way to witness how much of an impact negativity can have — not only on change initiatives, but also in your work life and, sometimes, your home life.
I was once a change and engagement lead within a toxic workplace where transparency and engagement from senior management, particularly around business goals, was sorely lacking. Trust in senior management was almost non-existent, and this negativity spread like wildfire, infecting many corners of the organisation. After multiple rounds of redundancies, the remaining employees were too busy and overworked to collaborate effectively. Without trust and transparency, employees withdrew, making it incredibly difficult for any change to take root. That experience highlighted for me how vital it is to address these issues head-on and to foster a culture of openness from the very start.
Cultivating positivity: keeping the fruit fresh
Fortunately, positivity can be just as contagious — and it’s far more powerful. When people see their colleagues embracing change with enthusiasm, it has a way of spreading through the team. A positive attitude can help to dissolve resistance, foster collaboration, and create a sense of momentum around the change.
At Moore Moroney Consulting, we believe in keeping the fruit fresh by engaging employees from the very start. This means open communication, active listening, and addressing concerns as soon as they arise. It’s about giving people a voice in the change process, so they feel ownership and investment in its success.
Turning the tide: practical tips for positivity during change
- Start with transparency: When people understand why a change is happening and how it will benefit them, they’re more likely to embrace it. Be clear about the goals, and keep everyone informed at every step.
- Celebrate wins — big and small: People respond to positivity when they see progress. Celebrate early wins and milestones to keep the momentum going. Even small victories can energise the team.
- Address negativity head-on: Don’t let negative attitudes fester. Identify them early and have candid conversations to understand the root cause. Often, negativity stems from fear or a lack of understanding, and a little reassurance can go a long way.
- Foster a culture of collaboration: Involve people in the change process. When employees feel like they have a say, they’re more likely to be positive about the outcome. Collaboration creates a sense of shared purpose, and that’s something people can rally behind.
- Lead by example: Positivity starts at the top. When leaders model optimism and resilience, it sets the tone for the rest of the organisation.
Keeping your organisation thriving
Change doesn’t have to be a source of rot and it’s usually not the primary cause of a toxic workplace. With the right approach, change can invigorate your organisation and help you grow stronger. Like the fruit in your bowl, keeping your organisation fresh, engaged, and thriving requires attention and care. At Moore Moroney Consulting, we specialise in making change not just manageable, but energising. We’ll help you spot the rotten oranges before they spread, and together we’ll cultivate a culture of positivity that ensures your transformation is a success.
Because in the end, work doesn’t have to be boring — and neither does change.
Find out how we do it and how we can help your organisation through change.
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