Stop Complainers and Energy Drainers: How to Negotiate Work Drama to Get More Done

Chapter 9

Go Ahead, Complain

Proceed with Care

When you think of constructive complaining, you think, “Please proceed. Right this way.” In business, you need all the insight and help you can get to improve. In many cases, people who are brave enough to speak up are voicing the experience of several. When faced with complaining, it is best to follow these guidelines: Listen to complaints. Encourage constructive feedback. Complain effectively and offer solutions.

Spot Complaints

Not all complaining by employees is bad. People often have legitimate complaints that deserve attention, such as too much work or poor workflow management. Pay special attention to complaints involving potential harm to individuals, unethical behavior, or illegal actions. Legitimate complaints include:

• unclear direction or lack of feedback from leaders.
• bullying, harassment, or unsafe working conditions.
• job fear and/or undue pressure to perform.
• information about someone lying, cheating, or breaking the law.
• unrealistic demands from clients or customers.
• incompetent coworkers or peers not pulling their weight or holding others up.
• not feeling heard or respected at work.

Part of any job is to figure out how to work with other people and get the best you can from them. This is a fact of business.

Employee ...