Many years back, I worked with a lad who could suck the energy out of a room faster than a dodgy air con unit.

Didn’t matter how well things were going – we could’ve had record bookings, smooth shipments, and a fridge full of cold beer – but the minute he opened his mouth? It was all doom, gloom, and why-bother. At first, I shrugged it off. Thought he was just a bit of a moaner. But the longer we worked together, the more I realised… He wasn’t just miserable – He was making me miserable too. Slowly, without even noticing, I started seeing things through his lens. That sense of “what’s the point?” creeps in. You second-guess yourself. Doubt good ideas. And before you know it, your own standards slip too.

Turns out, it’s not just me and it’s not just a gut feeling. There’s actual research that shows that who you hang around with matters. If you sit next to a low performer, your productivity can drop by up to 30%. But if you sit next to a high performer? You can get a 15% boost – just from being near them. Mad, isn’t it?

But it makes sense. Energy’s contagious. The people around you shape how you think, how you work, how you show up. And this isn’t just about business. It’s true in life, relationships, even football. You hang around with winners, grafters, doers – it rubs off. You hang around with cynics, time-wasters, blamers – that rubs off too. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that success isn’t just about what you know or how hard you work. It’s about who’s around you. Who’s in your corner. Who’s setting the pace. Surround yourself with the right people – the ones who challenge you, back you, and expect the best from you – and you’ll grow without even realising it. Stick with the wrong crowd, and you’ll feel stuck… even when you’re moving.

Anyway, that’s my thought for the week. Ever had someone in your life you didn’t realise was dragging you down until you stepped back? Would love to hear your story.