It’s been a tough year. People are tired and stressed out; so it’s to be expected that complaints might ramp up. For instance, you might observe people spending more time idly complaining or grousing about various issues. When this happens, you need to nip it in the bud, as the more negative the talk gets, the less likely forgiveness is possible.
There are a few steps you can take to break out of the complaint cycle:
- When you witness negative talk, guide the conversation to positive change. What can be constructively, realistically be done to resolve the complaint?
- Give people a safe place to discuss their concerns, complaints, and frustrations. Listen, ask questions, and demonstrate that you care about their feelings and needs.
- Engage staff in resolving issues. Appoint them to a committee or task force, or ask them to study the situation and come to you with some possible solutions.
