Don't Complain, Contribute: How to Create a Positive Company Culture and Professional Tips for Avoiding Negative Venting
If you’ve ever caught yourself complaining repeatedly about the same thing or dropping a complaint off at someone else’s desk, thinking it’s their problem to solve, we want to challenge your thinking. Creating a positive company culture is essential to the success of any business. In order to achieve this, remember the wise words of Simon Sinek: “Don’t complain, contribute." Complaining can be counterproductive and unproductive, so it’s important to find ways to avoid negative venting. In this blog post, we have gathered a handful of tips to help you contribute to solving problems, which also helps create a positive team environment and company culture.
Different Ways to Contribute (Versus Complaining)
When it comes to creating a positive workplace culture, it’s important to remember that complaints can lead to solutions. So next time you’re tempted to complain, remember Simon Sinek’s quote and focus on the solution instead, and take action by following one (or multiple) of the steps below.
- Focus on the Solution: Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, take a step back and think about ways to fix the problem.
- Work With Others: It often takes multiple people to come up with the best solution. Share your concerns with others who might have the same issue and brainstorm together for a solution.
- Speak Up: If you or someone else has an idea for a better way of doing things, speak up! Don’t let your idea get buried in the noise of complaining. Be brave and voice your opinion.
- Put Your Words Into Action: Don’t just talk – take action! Make a plan and set goals that you can work toward. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.
- Encourage Others: Complaining isn’t productive in itself, but if it can lead to positive change, then it can be worthwhile. If you hear someone complaining, encourage them to think through solutions to the problem and help them find ways to make their ideas a reality.
It's easy to get stuck in a rut of complaining and viewing challenges as insurmountable obstacles. But the truth is that there are always opportunities to contribute, learn and grow in any situation. While voicing frustrations is sometimes necessary to make progress, it should never be the only approach. Find ways to contribute and use each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. Celebrate the fact that you're not just complaining, you're actively creating positive change. In the end, this will lead to a more productive, collaborative, and healthier work environment.
If you are looking for more resources to help you excel in your work environment, or to help your team grow with the mindset of contributing to problem-solving, versus complaining, get in touch with us today.