Stop Complaining and Start Learning!

Posted by Scott Williams
10 Comments
January 11, 2010
Leaders | Leadership | Life Application

stop complainingI will often times hear individuals complain about their boss or work situation.  The complaints generally sound something like this “They don’t do enough of this, they are not good at that, they don’t lead like this, if they would only do that, they don’t lead me, they don’t do anything…”  The list goes on and on like the Energizer Bunny “What happened to the energizer bunny anyways?”  Maybe it’s just me, but I haven’t seen him on a commercial in a long time, it’s either the economy or just bad leadership.

We have all worked for leaders who just don’t have the goods and could learn a thing or two from reading some of John Maxwell’s books.  Instead of complaining about those poor leaders and situations, individuals should start learning from them.  I’ve learned as much about leadership and how to operate in hostile environments from working for incompetent leaders, as I have working for some of the best.

Each day we have to make a decision of  whether or not we put on our complaining hat or our learning hat.  Choose to Learn!  The next time you or someone else fixes their lips to complain about an inept boss or negative situation, ask this question “What can I learn from this situation?”  Life is about learning…  Stop Complaining and Start Learning!

The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day. Proverbs 14:24 MSG

Do you think people do more complaining than learning?  Share your thoughts!

  • http://www.morozfamily.com KariMoroz

    I heard God say the same thing to me JUST today! So this blog post really spoke to me! He gave me some ideas to be creative where I have been feeling discontent. He helped me see that my complaining was overriding my ability to be grateful. The circumstances are temporary but there is so much to learn while I am here. I don’t want to miss what He is teaching me, it is training for the future. I have learned so much just today as I asked Him to give me ideas to live gratefully and to be more content where I am. Thanks for your blog, Pastor!

  • http://www.jethlooney.typepad.com Jeth

    Dude, I love this post! This has been something God has been really working on me about. More often than not, we ask the question “why?” leadership leads the way they do and complain about it as if venting had ever accomplished anything. It’s pivotal point for leaders to learn not just from books that we read, but the ones that are read aloud to us by leaders/bosses everyday. I’ve become more appreciative of what God is showing me in the midst of another man’s success and his failures. Thanks for encouraging us!

  • http://www.makeminehappen.com Carrie @ Make Mine Happen

    I think there is merit in learning from your leadership. After five years at the same institution, I have learned a lot about my direct manager and other management in my organization. My manager wasn’t necessarily good at people managing, but was a total whiz at negotiation and overall diplomacy. Another manager in my area was not a manager previously, but turned into a helicopter manager after she became one. It was interesting, sometimes heartburn-inducing, to watch and learn from.

    I want to point out that while the opportunity to learn and grow from management (or mismanagement) is certainly there, it is still permissible for someone to be disgruntled, realize that the environment is the wrong one, and then take their leave. Sometimes, as in my case, it was a long thought-out weighing of pros and cons that made me realize that my time was short and my path was leading in a different direction.

    I add onto your sentiment: Stop Complaining. Start Learning. Stop Dreaming. Start Doing. That has been my mantra (“stop dreaming, start doing”) for the last several months and it has served me well!

  • http://bondchristian.com/ bondChristian

    In all fairness, I don’t think that’s a fair question. :>) Yes, of course I see more complaining than learning… haha (thank you for asking anyway).

    Complaining is an interesting thing: it’s really hard to speak out against it because… what do you know… that’s complaining (or at least it looks like it). The answer is to back up that talk with some examples of learning instead of complaining.

    It’s oh-so-tricky though. We live in a culture (for that matter, in bodies) that believe in entitlement, that we deserve better. Instead our focus should be on how thankful we are for all that we have. Thankfulness immediately turns complaints into learning.

    Just watch some of the immigrants who come to the US. The first generation, at least in my experience, is all about learning because they’re so thankful for what they have here (I’m talking about immigrants from not-so-great countries here).

    That immigrant attitude is what Christians should have. After all, didn’t we come over into a way more amazing place when we became Christians?

    -Marshall Jones Jr.

  • http://www.jamiemiles.com/blog Jamie

    I love the thought of learning as much from incompetent bosses/leaders as great ones. That takes positive thinking to a whole new level. Every encounter is a learning experience ~ all can be used to the good. Thanks for that great take-away thought for today.

  • Scott Williams

    Kari- Thanks for listening to God, those moments are not always easy… it’s nice to years down the road to be able to chalk them up as learning experiences.
    Jeth- well said “I’ve become more appreciative of what God is showing me in the midst of another man’s success and his failures.”
    Carrie- I agree with your mantra “Stop talking about it, Be about it!” I personally use: think Big. dream Bigger.
    BondChristian- Thankfulness turns complaining into learning.
    Jamie- There is a lot of learning to receive from both… Thx for the comment!

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  • http://anncarnevale.edublogs.org Ann Carnevale

    The start learning should include learning about the big picture. Sometimes decisions which cause individuals to complain are made with the vision of the big picture for the school or the district. It’s impossible to make everyone happy all of the time, but the bottom line has to be what’s in the best interests of the students, whether or not everyone likes it.

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