ARTICLES

We love to say, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” When one person or team levels up, their example can lift everyone around them. I’ve seen that over and over in organizations: good ideas and strong cultures are contagious. But there’s another side of that tide we don’t talk about enough. Sometimes the water doesn’t rise. Sometimes it drains. One person with low standards, low energy, or toxic behavior quietly lowers the tide for everyone around them. Proximity Cuts Both Ways