There is no doubt that a good leader can turn a team of average performers into toppers. But even a single lazy worker can drag down the performance of high performing team as per a new study by the Australian School of Business.

This analysis of researchers is based on 158students and they were divided into 33 teams. They observed that how the hard work and dedication of an individual affects the performance of the entire team. They just kept an eye on one member of a team to see that how an individual can influence the group.

As per Benjamin walker, who lead the study, the research says that a single lazy person decrease the performance of entire team. This person can be the one, who is not proactive, not interested in his job, and does the minimum amount of work.

“Even being excessively keen but producing little is generally a negative trait within a group. It was previously thought that the average level of a personality trait such as conscientiousness in a team defined its success. However conscientiousness has two sides to it: One is discipline and a need for achievement and other being painstaking and careful.”

It is also found by the study that an individual who contributes the least has a huge impact on others. If the other members of the team try to pull their weight they can’t compensate for that member, so they won’t be happy. According to walker one bad apple in the barrel prove to spoil others.