The TRUTH hidden under workplace negativity & complaining…
As a leader, it’s normal to feel frustrated when you’re bombarded with complaints, whining & negativity.
After all, who wants that in the workplace?
Excessive whining, complaining and negativity usually boils down to a lack of ACCOUNTABILITY – but, surprisingly enough, not only in those who are doing the whining and complaining.
The topic of the complaint, negativity, or whining is often a symptom of a deeper issue.
So before you dismiss a complaint as a simple or unimportant issue isolated to one or two (possibly disgruntled) employees, I encourage you to pop the hood on the situation & investigate what’s really going on underneath.
Oftentimes the “negativity,” when approached with curiosity, may actually provide clues to roadblocks that are keeping the team from achieving its goals. Or, it may provide a coaching opportunity for the employee.
If your default is to tune it out, you could miss valuable information. In which, it can help you FIX the issue or that can help the employee get back on track.
The next time an employee comes to you with an issue, take a moment to separate the personality from the data. Look at the data itself…is there something deeper that needs exploring? Addressing?
Listen to your high performers, yes, but also pay attention to what comes up from ALL employees.
They may reveal clues to a disconnect, a barrier, or a real limitation in your organization.
Being open and curious might just save you unwanted turnover, loss of productivity, help to avoid a safety incident, etc.
But the only way to fix it…
Listen. Really listen & with curiosity.
Really listening to employees, so that they feel heard and understood, is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.