Many people are not even aware of how often they complain instead of seeking solutions. We experienced this ourselves during a self-test, where we found the average was about 35 times a day. Quite a lot, isn’t it? Just this realisation has made a significant impact on us—we notice our own complaints more quickly and have reduced them. Additionally, we share a smile within the team when someone complains, which helps prevent that complaint from being endlessly extended.
With a complaint-free mindset, one starts to express things constructively. Instead of saying, "It's raining again," you might say, "Next time, I’ll remember to bring an umbrella." "Colleague X didn't understand anything in the meeting again" could turn into "I’ll make sure to explain that more clearly next time." Complaints are often directed outward: the rain, the arrogant boss, the clueless customer... The attitude I feed with this mindset is: The problem is external; I can’t do anything about it. When you begin to express complaints constructively, you automatically shift into a self-efficacy mode. This can be a bit more challenging, as it requires taking action, but it also means that I take charge of my life, my challenges, and even uncomfortable conversations, allowing me to shape my circumstances.
All team members receive a wristband, and whenever someone expresses a complaint, they switch the wristband from one wrist to the other. Frequent switching is not penalised—it simply serves to raise awareness of the complaints. The goal is to go an entire workday without having to switch the wristband.
