Which behavior can negatively affect team morale when mishandled?

The behavior that can negatively affect team morale when mishandled is counterproductive behavior. This encompasses actions that detract from the group's objectives, such as withholding effort, engaging in dysfunctional conflict, or exhibiting negative attitudes. When individuals engage in counterproductive behavior, it can lead to a toxic team environment, where trust erodes and cooperation diminishes. Such behaviors can create frustration among team members, resulting in decreased morale and productivity.

Sportsmanship, while important, generally refers to behaviors that reflect a positive attitude during challenging situations and do not inherently harm team morale. Wasting resources is certainly an issue but is more associated with inefficiency rather than directly impacting team dynamics and morale. Substance abuse can have severe individual consequences and might affect performance but is not as directly linked to the team's morale as the broader category of counterproductive behavior. Thus, counterproductive behavior stands out for its direct and detrimental impact on team morale.