Being critical is important to success. You need a critical, negative filter to help you see what might go wrong.
However, you also need to stop people who use relentless criticism and negativity to build their own unofficial kingdoms and power. They’re not interested in creating anything. They’re only interested in being the king or queen of the sandbox.
To read the rest of this article from the Nashville Business Journal, see:
Beware of relentless critics who really want to rule the office
For example, Harry is proud to be known as “Mr. Negativity.” He rips everyone else’s ideas and plans to shreds and attacks the “idiot” who came up with the idea. Loudly and obnoxiously he makes people look weak, foolish and stupid.
Harry is overt. But Helen is sneaky. She smiles sweetly when she cuts something or someone to ribbons. She talks behind people’s backs and always drops embarrassing reminders of past failures. She justifies her actions by using values everyone believes in – preventing embarrassing mistakes and making the team more productive.
Their unending criticism is directed at undercutting the authority of managers they don’t like. Harry and Helen never compromise. They always have good “reasons” for what they do. Other people are always at fault. Other people should change to make them happy.
The Harrys and Helens of the world create fear and submission. They’ve discovered that when they’re displeased with everything, people try to please them.
Why do weak supervisors allow their power to be usurped? See the article for details.
These power-hungry, negative, critical, harassing and bullying people won’t change. Gentle guidance, appeasement, begging and bribery won’t satisfy them. They know they get more of what they want – turf, control, power – by continuing to complain. If one complaint is satisfied, they’ll always find a new one. They create hostile workplaces.
We can try to get along with people who also try to get along with us. But we shouldn’t waste our lives trying to satisfy people who’ll never be satisfied unless they rule the whole kingdom.
The best way to learn how to stop relentless critics and to eliminate the high cost of low attitudes is to hire Dr. Ben for personalized coaching and organizational consulting.
Design and implement an effective plan that eliminates the high cost of low attitudes. To get the help you need, call Ben at 1-877-828-5543.