I hear people say that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”. These squeaky wheels complain and complain, often getting what they want. So they use this as justification to complain all the time. Occasionally, the squeaky wheel gets replaced. It’s a ratio of talent to tolerance. Are you talented enough to be tolerated? If you’re not -you’re antics won’t be tolerated either. Do you bring enough to the table to act like a jerk? Most of these people will answer with “yes, I am.” Although the reality is that often the answer is “no, you are not.”Complaining can be a valuable tool – if done properly. Whining is not – even if done to perfection. Are you sabotaging yourself with your mouth? Are you complaining at the wrong time? Or to the wrong people?
Let me give you some suggestions:
-
Complain up. Complaints should be aimed at people who can do something about them. Not at other people who feel the same irritation, and especially not to subordinates who look to you to fix things. This is just like the old expression about smiling monkeys in a tree. “When you look down the organizational chart (the tree) from above you should see smiling monkeys, and those at the bottom look up and see…” well you can figure out the rest. (If you don’t know, email me! Hint: It’s a swear word! Insert childish giggle!)
-
Complain in private. Once you find the right person to file your complaint with don’t go public with it. Meetings and company parties are not the place to bring up complaints. If you want something fixed, publicly cornering someone rarely turns out in your best interest.
-
Complain once. Constant harping is for angels. And you’re not dead yet. Prepare your complaint ahead of time, unleash its elegance and import and then move on. Or at least give it some space.
You need to ask yourself, “Am I valuable enough to make everyone else miserable with my complaints?”Odds are you’re not. If you keep it up, you can be replaced with a younger, less expensive squeak-free wheel.
For more information about my keynote
“Getting a Grip on Negativity“
email craig@speakercraigprice.com
or call 281-546-1664 today.
Hi Craig,
If the complaint effects a great many people, you can really score big points by wading into the deep end of the pool and taking care of the problem yourself.
In a corporate climate, I understand this may not be a practical approach. I’ve never been one to rock the boat!
I say, let lying dogs lie.
This may be passing the buck, however, I didn’t make the rules, I just have to play by them.
Jeff, thanks for responding.
My 1st assumption with any complaint is that the complainer cannot fix the problem. If they could, why the hell are the complaining?!
This advice is for the more outspoken of us who can’t help but speak up. We can speak up, just no so often and so loud we get the boot!