The Next Time You Want to Complain at Work, Do This Instead

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You Might Like � � � You Might Like � � � � � � � � � Don't like ads? Go ad-free with TradeBriefs Premium The Next Time You Want to Complain at Work, Do This Instead    We all spend too much time complaining at work. Why? Because it feels good, requires minimal risk, and it’s easy. When we complain about someone else, the uncomfortable feelings begin to dissipate because complaining releases our pent up energy. That’s why we say things like “I’m venting” or “I’m blowing off steam.” But complaining creates a number of dysfunctional side effects (beyond the time wasted): It creates factions, prevents or delays productive engagement, reinforces and strengthens dissatisfaction, riles up others, breaks trust, and, potentially, makes the complainer appear negative. Instead of complaining, take action. Be direct with the person who is causing your frustration. It’s not nearly as easy as complaining. But it will be far more productive and valuable. I looked at my watch. It was 3:20pm. I had been on the phone for over an hour, almost all of that time listening to Frank*, a senior manager at Jambo, a technology company, complain about his boss, Brandon. Jambo is a company I know well — I have many ongoing relationships there from when I used to work with their CEO — but they are not, currently, a client. In other words, I wasn’t soliciting complaints or asking for feedback. “He’s so scattered,” Frank griped about Brandon, “He’ll waltz into a meeting — late, mind you — and share his most recent idea, which is often a complete distraction from our current plan. Totally ignoring our agenda. And then he’ll micromanage everything we do, reorganizing our work — though we’re still accountable for the stuff he’s ignoring. And that’s not the worst. The worst is he’s completely clueless. He thinks he’s great. At yesterday’s meeting . . .” Continued here

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