"Complaining is good for you as long as you are not complaining to the person you are complaining about."
Lynn Johnston
Canadian Cartoonist
Canadian Cartoonist
When as managers we review employees and have something negative to say about their performance, are we complaining?
If so, is Lynn right?
If so, is Lynn right?
Reviews are not about being good for either the reviewer or the reviewed. They are about what is good for the company.
ReplyDeleteI really don't like this word - pet peeve for a 'glass half full' guy. In my opinion, the word 'complaint' or complaining has a lazy, negative overtone for expressing displeasure - I try not to use it personally or professionally. I learned very early in my career to characterize and position issues as opportunities. Customers report 'issues', not complaints. In mentoring Managers with regards to addressing employee issues, problems, performance is about 'opportunities'. You can hit it the core issues head on if at the same time offer solutions and discuss consequences should it not improve. Good managers spin it for the benefit of the employee (and the goal to benefit the company). It's not about mincing words, it's about setting tone.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteIs the "company" somehow separate and apart from its employees?
While you didn't say so directly, is it possible that a review could be bad for both the reviewer and the reviewed and still be good for the company?
Stop complaining Ben:)
ReplyDelete