Resolving Workplace Conflicts: General - Whining, Complaining, Commiserating (PDF)

Conflict tends to have a negative connotation based on our experiences, but it does not have to be this way. When we seek to understand, we communicate that we care enough to work through difficult situations and determine how to make things better to reduce stress, promote communication and enhance teamwork.

It's amazing that some employees seem to know more about running an organization than those "in charge." These "know-it-alls" neither understand the "big picture," nor do they have knowledge of the organization's priorities given limited resources. Those whining, complaining and commiserating are quick to say that they need "more staff and more money" but have little to contribute regarding how to achieve objectives via streamlining, process improvements, staff development and delegation of important responsibilities, etc. They are part of the problem, not part of the solution. The solutions presented in this document provide supervision and management with concrete actions to eliminate, or at least minimize the detrimental whining and complaining. Where the organization really suffers, though, is when an individual commiserates with coworkers poisoning their attitudes and impacting their performance as well. Concrete actions are also provided for addressing the spread of this form of negativity, and often, ignorance.

With this tool you get the following:

•  The effects of whining, complaining and commiserating.
•  Considerations for why the individual whining, complaining and commiserating.
•  Numerous solutions for improvement.
•  Ideas for negotiating/adjusting solutions.
•  Potential barriers and ways to overcome them to achieve resolution.
•  Implementation timeframe.
•  Follow-up review commitments.

Additionally, we provide a blank, editable Conflict Resolution Worksheet and the Worksheet Guidelines providing a step-by-step process for addressing your own workplace conflicts.