Leadership Development to Stop Complaining at Work - The Art of Discontent

Are you working in a company or law firm wherematter what the particular content of complaints,
leaders recognize the value of people expressingit turns out that most of us have an experience
discontent? How do leaders in your company orat work that we perceive as obstructing our own
law firm handle employee complaints? One of thewell-being, growth and development.
most powerful questions one can ask is "Does ourThis conversation about what we can't stand is so
company culture encourage leaders touniversal it goes unrecognized and accepted as
immediately address the complaints of workers?"normal. Obviously we recognize complaints from
Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent leadersothers more so than from ourselves. Complaining
create a culture that encourages opengrows like a weed. The problem is that it does
communication and discourages unproductivenot usually lead to changing anything.
complaining.To be fair, complaining may help people let off
What are people complaining about in yoursteam. It can also create alliances and support
organization?because one realizes they are not alone. But it
The objects of disaffections may vary but gripingrarely accomplishes more than this. It doesn't
is always in season at work. When things go fromtransform anyone or anything. It often leaves
bad to worse the discussions end up in thepeople feeling worse by virtue of the negative
manager's office. When they don't, they form anfeelings that flourish.
undercurrent of discontent and resentments thatWorking with a seasoned executive coach trained
is counter-productive.in emotional intelligence and incorporating leadership
People spend vast amounts of time complaining.assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i and CPI
They invest amazingly creative energies coming260 can help you become a leader who creates a
up with clever ways of expressing theirpositive work culture and climate that values
discontent. No matter how sophisticated,productive communication and minimizes
however, a complaint is unpleasant to listen to. Itcomplaining. You can become a leader who
can instill an aura of negativity and un-productivity.models emotional intelligence and social intelligence,
It becomes contagious. At its worse, it poisonsand who inspires people to become happily
relationships and sabotages team efforts.engaged and aligned with the vision and mission of
We all complain, no matter what our position. Noyour company or law firm.