The Most Dangerous Person in Your Business
“Your business isn’t just built on numbers—it’s built on people. And the wrong person, no matter how skilled, can tear it all apart from the inside.” - Shawn Dill
Most entrepreneurs believe that if they can just find the right people—the best talent, the “A players”—their business will thrive.
They think skill is everything.
They’re wrong.
Because the most dangerous person in your business isn’t the underperformer. It’s the high performer who refuses to uphold the culture.
The one who delivers results but poisons the environment.
The one who drives revenue but disrespects the mission.
The one who everyone tolerates because they’re “so good at what they do.”
If that sounds familiar, you’ve got a ticking time bomb on your hands. And if you don’t handle it now, you’ll pay for it later.
Why Talent Alone Isn’t Enough
Every business has a culture—whether you define it or not.
Culture is the way things are done in your company. It’s the expectations, behaviors, and values that drive the business forward.
And culture isn’t built by what you say. It’s built by what you allow.
When you keep someone on the team who violates the culture, you’re telling everyone else:
• “It’s okay to be toxic if you perform well.”
• “The mission doesn’t matter as much as results.”
• “We care more about numbers than about the team.”
And guess what? That kind of culture doesn’t last.
It creates resentment.
It drives away the right people.
It erodes trust.
A toxic top performer won’t just kill morale—they will destroy everything you’ve built.
What Happens When You Let It Slide
You might be thinking:
“But they bring in the sales.”
“But they’re the best we’ve got.”
“But what if we can’t replace them?”
Let me tell you what really happens when you let it slide:
1. Your best team members leave. The right people—the ones who care about the mission—won’t stick around in a toxic environment. They’ll find a place where they’re respected and valued.
2. Your culture crumbles. If one person is allowed to ignore the standards, soon, others will follow. Excellence turns into entitlement.
3. Your leadership loses credibility. When you fail to enforce the culture, your authority weakens. Your team sees you as someone who talks a big game but won’t take action.
4. Your business becomes unstable. A single toxic A-player can spread doubt, fear, and negativity across the organization. When people stop believing in the business, performance declines.
5.You get trapped. The longer you tolerate it, the harder it is to remove them. And by the time you finally do, the damage is already done
The Solution: Culture Over Talent, Every Time
Here’s the rule: No one is above the culture. Not the top performer. Not the longest-tenured employee. Not even you.
• If someone undermines the values of the business, they have to go.
• If someone creates a toxic work environment, they have to go.
• If someone thinks they’re too valuable to follow the standards, they have to go.
No hesitation. No second chances.
Because the right culture attracts the right people. And the right people—aligned, committed, and fully bought in—will outperform a toxic “A-player” every single time.
Final Thoughts
Your business isn’t just built on numbers—it’s built on people. And the wrong person, no matter how skilled, can tear it all apart from the inside.
If you want a business that lasts, grows, and thrives, don’t just focus on finding great talent. Focus on building an unshakable culture—and protecting it at all costs.
Because at the end of the day, a toxic A-player isn’t an asset.
They’re a liability.
