Unconstructive Complaints and Constructive Comments
by Laurie Wilhelm
Nobody likes a complainer.
Complaints aren’t just negative comments. They’re unhelpful opinions and judgements that serve no constructive purpose because they focused on weaknesses, faults, and flaws. They provide no direction to finding a solution or resolving an issue – in other words, they’re not constructive.
What’s the difference between unconstructive complaints and constructive comments?
Problem-Oriented and Solution-Oriented
Complaining rehashes the problem over and over. Constructive comments understand the problem and look to resolve it by finding a solution.
Assign Blame
Complaints seek to blame someone and finger-point. Constructive comments acknowledge that something went wrong and focus on finding and implementing a solution.
Negatively Focused
There’s no such thing as a positive complaint; negativity and complaining go hand in hand. A constructive comment highlights what can be learned from the situation and how it can be improved upon.
Emotionally-Fuelled
Do you ever find that you complain more quickly when you’re upset or angry than when you’re not? Negative emotions tend to induce complaining while constructive comments are created through level-headed, solution-oriented thinking.
Audience
Unconstructive complaints can be said anytime, to anyone, anywhere. Constructive comments are only said to individuals who have the responsibility and authority to resolve the issue and improve the situation.
Recognizing the difference between an unconstructive complaint and a constructive comment is the first step to understanding which will keep the situation at a stand-still and which will lead to a solution.
photo©iStockphoto.com/killerb10
