Every workplace has them.
The people who lift the room… and the ones who seem to suck the life out of it.
You know the types. One brings energy, ideas, and optimism. The other… well, you can feel the collective sigh when they walk in.
The difference? One is a positive culture influencer. The other is a total mood hoover.
The truth though, this is directly affecting your bottom line. One can make it happen and the other can suck the resources right out of it.
The positive culture influencer
A positive culture influencer doesn’t have to be the loudest voice or the person with “leader” in their job title.
They’re the ones who:
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Choose curiosity over cynicism
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Support rather than criticise
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Take accountability rather than deflect blame
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Inspire others to do their best, not because they have to, but because they instinctively want to
Culture influencers set the tone. They notice people’s effort. They communicate openly. They balance ambition with empathy.
They build trust through everyday actions, the small moments that, over time, define how a team feels and shapes their belief.
They’re not perfect, they have off days too, but they take responsibility for how they show up. They know their mood matters.
The mood hoover
Then there’s the other culture influencer…
The mood hoover.
The person who drains the positivity faster than a phone on 2% battery.
You can usually spot a mood hoover by their soundtrack. Their words might sound harmless, but they quietly flatten motivation faster than you can say ‘team meeting’.
The “Deflator” Classics
(They instantly suck the air out of ideas or enthusiasm)
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“That’ll never work.”
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“We’ve tried that before.”
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“Good luck with that.”
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“What’s the point?”
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“No one listens anyway.”
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“It is what it is.”
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“That’s above my pay grade.”
The “Victim Mode” Lines
(Subtle blame-shifting and self-protection in disguise)
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“It’s not my job.”
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“I’d do it if I had more time.”
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“Management doesn’t care.”
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“No one told me.”
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“I’m just doing what I’m told.”
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“I can’t control that.”
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“That’s not how we do things here.”
The “Sarcastic Saboteur” Sayings
(They sound funny but carry a sting that lowers morale)
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“Oh sure, another brilliant idea…”
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“Let me guess, another ‘initiative’?”
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“We’ll see how long this one lasts.”
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“Are we changing again?”
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“Guess who’ll end up doing all the work?”
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“Nothing ever really changes around here.”
The “Energy Drainer” Droans
(Delivered with sighs, eye rolls, or muttered under-breath comments)
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“Here we go again…”
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“Typical.”
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“Ugh, Mondays.”
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“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
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“Whatever.”
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“Just get it over with.”
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“Don’t shoot the messenger.”
They might not even realise the effect they have. But every sigh, eye roll, or dismissive comment sends out a silent signal that says: don’t bother.
And that’s contagious. Negativity spreads faster than any corporate memo.
The truth is, mood hoovers often operate from stress, fatigue, or frustration, not malice. But if it goes unchecked, they can quietly derail collaboration, morale, and even performance that generates your bottom line.
The mirror
Here’s the thing, we’ve all been both.
No one is immune to bad days or low moods. What matters is self-awareness.
Ask yourself:
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How do people feel after spending time with me?
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Do I add energy, or absorb it?
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Do my words inspire action or hesitation?
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Am I the kind of person I’d want on my team?
If you’re brave enough to answer honestly, you’re already on the right track.
The Brilliant Takeaway
Culture isn’t a leadership initiative or a poster on the wall.
It’s the cumulative behaviour of everyone, every day.
One person showing up differently can shift the temperature of the entire team.
And when everyone, not just the leaders, model self-awareness and accountability, others follow suit.
The best workplaces aren’t those with free coffee, pizza Friday’s and beanbags… they’re the ones where people feel energised to contribute, confident to speak up, and inspired to do better together.
So next time you walk into a room, ask yourself this simple question:
Am I about to positively influence the culture… or hoover the mood?
At GEN-b, we help individuals and teams recognise their impact, strengthen emotional intelligence, and create workplaces where energy, empathy and accountability are embodied.
If you’re ready to turn your culture influencers into your company’s greatest asset… and retire the mood hoovers for good, let’s talk.
