Complaints are a common occurrence in business - and in Life. Too often, however, we make the mistake of compromising our actions because of the opinions of others. Someone gets upset and starts whining about what you are doing (or not doing)...at what point do you "cave in" and go along with their request?
There are two considerations when making this decision: 1. Does the "complainer" have your best interest at heart? and 2. You, and only you, are in control of your decisions/actions.
First, there is a group of people that you "serve" - whether customers, employees, or friends/acquaintances. When dealing with this group, ask yourself whether or not their agenda is for YOUR (or your company's) mutual well-being. If not, disregard them - and anything else that doesn't directly serve you or your mission. The reason they are complaining is for THEIR benefit, not yours. If they care more about themselves than your sustainable good health, then they are a "cancer" (an organism that sucks life out of you and causes damage as a result), so remove them - or, at least, marginalize their contact with you. You will have a far better future without them.
In the same way, you'll hear your competition howl about how they don't like something you are doing. Unless the complaint is about something genuinely unethical or illegal, the hidden reason for their complaint is that your action is hurting their business. Good! (Remember: They are motivated by you losing!) Upset "enemies" are not a problem - leading your organization by what pacifies your competition is a BIG problem! If you are upsetting your competition it is an indicator that you are doing something that is improving your business and/or industry - and distancing yourself from their attempts to take market share from you!
Secondly, don't make the mistake of thinking others control your decisions. Yes, they may have influence, but only YOU dictate the rules of engagement! If you find yourself consistently doing things that are unhealthy to you, then YOU are the one responsible for making the unhealthy decision. Catering to the whims of others and allowing those who don't care enough about you to have your best interest at heart is a sure-fire path to pain, suffering, and regret.
So view complaints differently. They are simply information and not always bad. In fact, they may actually show you that you are doing something right!
Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!
There are two considerations when making this decision: 1. Does the "complainer" have your best interest at heart? and 2. You, and only you, are in control of your decisions/actions.
First, there is a group of people that you "serve" - whether customers, employees, or friends/acquaintances. When dealing with this group, ask yourself whether or not their agenda is for YOUR (or your company's) mutual well-being. If not, disregard them - and anything else that doesn't directly serve you or your mission. The reason they are complaining is for THEIR benefit, not yours. If they care more about themselves than your sustainable good health, then they are a "cancer" (an organism that sucks life out of you and causes damage as a result), so remove them - or, at least, marginalize their contact with you. You will have a far better future without them.
In the same way, you'll hear your competition howl about how they don't like something you are doing. Unless the complaint is about something genuinely unethical or illegal, the hidden reason for their complaint is that your action is hurting their business. Good! (Remember: They are motivated by you losing!) Upset "enemies" are not a problem - leading your organization by what pacifies your competition is a BIG problem! If you are upsetting your competition it is an indicator that you are doing something that is improving your business and/or industry - and distancing yourself from their attempts to take market share from you!
Secondly, don't make the mistake of thinking others control your decisions. Yes, they may have influence, but only YOU dictate the rules of engagement! If you find yourself consistently doing things that are unhealthy to you, then YOU are the one responsible for making the unhealthy decision. Catering to the whims of others and allowing those who don't care enough about you to have your best interest at heart is a sure-fire path to pain, suffering, and regret.
So view complaints differently. They are simply information and not always bad. In fact, they may actually show you that you are doing something right!
Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!
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