Monday Tip: Complain

The Chief Happiness Officer's monday tipsBet you never saw this one coming: Yes, the Chief Happiness Officer wants you to complain at work.

Complaining is good for you and for the workplace. Show me a workplace where no one ever complains, and I’ll show you a workplace where people are so afraid of conflict and uncomfortable conversation that very little change is possible.

However, you must complain constructively following the tips in this post. This means complaining at the right time, to the right person about the right problem. As opposed to just moaning all the time to whoever will listen about whatever bugs you the most.

So pick one problem that’s been bugging you at work and decide:

  • Who to raise it with
  • When to raise it
  • How to raise it

Then do it. No point in just letting that problem annoy you day after day – speak up and get it fixed.

Related:

The Chief Happiness Officer’s Monday tips are simple, easy, fun things you can do to make yourself and others happy at work and get the work-week off to a great start. Something everyone can do in five minutes, tops. When you try it, write a comment here to tell me how it went.

Previous monday tips.

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9 responses to “Monday Tip: Complain”

  1. Steve Roesler Avatar

    Right, Alex,

    This is one of those things that almost seems like a paradox. But when someone takes time to raise an issue in the right way with the right person, it means they care and are engaged.

    NOT doing something is a sign of indifference or an indicator that maybe the atmosphere isn’t safe for telling the truth. Not good.

    And…the people we trust the most in life are frequently the ones who confront us and raise issues. Why? Because we know they care enough to tell us the truth instead of letting us do something that isn’t in our best interest.

    A proper complaint today may lead to increased happiness tomorrow!

  2. Ask M Avatar

    Agreed!

    But it’s not good to stand in corners and moan to your co-workers because the boss has just done a brilliant exercise in seagull management. That only spreads the rot.

    To stop it happening again, it’s the boss you need to talk to – or better still, say no!

    M

  3. Charlie Avatar

    I agree. We should complain in a right matter instead of just keeping it to ourselves. Since it’s an emotional feeling, it needs to be out.It will only burden our lives if we keep holding on to it.

  4. may Avatar

    Thanks for the post. monday complainin will have to be done constructively!
    blessings
    wisdomofgettingwealthy.com

  5. Howie Avatar

    That’s right. Complaining is what we need inorder to let go of some of our feeling. But it isn’t right to make it like an outburst.

  6. Alexander Avatar

    Steve: Exactly, Steve! Just knowing that you CAN change things around you for the better makes us happy.

    Ask M: Precisely. Talk to the person who can change it – not just whoever is close by!

    Charlie: Exactly – it needs to come out.

    May. Prdouctive Monday morning complaining- Yes!

    Howie: Nope – outbursts rarely lead to anything good.

  7. […] read your articles about having a good attitude at work and about being a constructive complainer instead of just a big […]

  8. […] up! The Chief Happiness Officer is urging people to complain at work. His point is that complaining in a constructive way can make the workplace better. Fair enough, […]

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