Do you want to raise employee morale in a negative workplace? Learn how to stop chronic complainers from taking time, energy, and joy out of work.
How can you boost employee morale when chronic complainers suck the resources, time, energy, and joy out of work? Just about every workplace has one or more employees who complain a lot, bringing everyone down. There is a solution.
Linda Swindling, author of the book Stop Complainers and Energy Drainers: How to Negotiate Work Drama to Get More Done, says,
“According to our survey of over 1,000 people, seventy-seven percent of the respondents spend at least three to six hours a week dealing with complainers and energy draining situations.
Spot Your Complainer’s Type
There are five categories of chronic complainers.
- Whiners complain by showing disapproval, venting, or withdrawing.
- Complicators employ complaining tactics that frustrate, complicate, and create confusion.
- Prima Donnas complain by seeking attention, gossiping, creating drama, and stirring up trouble.
- Controllers use a variety of aggressive complaints in their attempts to reach an outcome, to control situations, and to control people.
- Toxics are dangerous individuals who use complaints and misinformation to manipulate and poison the environment to further their self-absorbed agendas.
Take the free, online assessment “Spot Your Complainer’s Type” at www.StopComplainers.com.
Here’s how to find out how to stop them . . .
Communication Tips to Stop Complainers
Whiners appear as martyrs, spoiled brats and pouters. Whiners want you to hold their hand through life’s challenges and fix their problems. Don’t.
Negotiate with Whiners by listening and empathizing for a few minutes and then ask for solutions. For example, “Wow, that has to be tough for you. How will you handle that?”
Complicators appear as critics, nitpickers, know-it-alls, and micromanagers. Masters of minutiae, they complain by finding flaws and in pointing out others’ incompetence.
Negotiate with Complicators by presenting change as a logical addition and ask them to contribute. “Can you give input on this next upgrade to make sure it is compatible with your current process?”
Prima Donnas appear excessive, reactionary, and dramatic. Prima Donnas want the spotlight and complain to be heard, admired, and appreciated.
Negotiate with Prima Donnas by recognizing them but avoid getting lost in their drama. “How are you going to get positive recognition for your efforts?”
Controllers appear to be tyrants, bullies, slave drivers, and bulldozers. Controllers use complaining to get things done, motivate others to action, or get rid of restraints.
Negotiate with Controllers by standing your ground and, if possible, let them decide the next direction. “The client can’t provide the information to you until noon. Do you want to discuss what we receive at three today or first thing tomorrow?”
Toxics appear as narcissists, psychopaths and manipulators. They are deceitful, ruthless, and can adapt their behavior to charm management. They are self-absorbed egotists who are hazardous to your health.
Negotiate with Toxics by documenting actions and using stealth. If Toxics think you are plotting against them, they may retaliate and harm your professional reputation. Then, find a way to escape working with them if possible.
Complaint-Free Zone
You may not be able to get complainers to stop complaining but, if you can spot them, you can get them to stop complaining around you. SPOT them and STOP them.
About the Author
A recognized authority on negotiations, workplace issues and high stakes communication, Linda Byars Swindling, is a “recovering” employment attorney, a media expert, and a Certified Speaking Professional. Author of over 13 books including her recent book, Stop Complainers and Energy Drainers: How to Negotiate Work Drama to Get More Done, Linda speaks at conventions, associations and companies throughout the country. For more information on how to Stop Complainers and Energy Drainers or to contact Linda, go to www.StopComplainers.com.
