Amandine 7-12-2007 23:18
How To Deal With A Complainer
How To Deal With A Complainer
A Complainer Is Characterized by:
1. Dissatisfaction in their personal life
2. Anger
3. A desire to have their concerns acknowledged
4. Makes demands
5. Wants explanations
6. Makes threats or bluffs
7. Frustration
Description
Complainers have a gripe about everything in their life. This usually comes from the underlying fact that they are unsatisfied or disgruntled about their own personal lives. The complainer has a need for their concerns to be acknowledged. Whether it is in their professional or personal life, the complainer can't have peace of mind until someone listens to and acknowledges their concerns. They feel dissatisfied and they don't just want things to change-they want to be heard and understood.
How to Deal With the Complainer
The key to effectively dealing with a complainer is by using your active listening skills. They want to be heard and acknowledged-not ignored or argued with. You have to use your skills of empathy and try to understand what their interests and needs are.
1. Listen to their concerns. It's not enough sometimes just to fix the problem. The person has a psychological need for someone to acknowledge their concerns. Let them get all of those pent up frustrations out of their system before you address the problem. Listen and acknowledge what they have to say. Encourage them to keep on talking until all those frustrations have been let out.
2. Empathize with them. Imagine yourself walking around in their shoes and see the situation from their perspective. Empathy is an important tool that you can use to facilitate cooperation. Let them know that you understand their situation and make them feel comfortable and important. Use empathetic statements such as, "If I were in your shoes, I'd be really angry too." Paraphrase their concerns back to them. Repeat their concerns back to them in your own words. This lets them know that you have been listening and it allows you to confirm that you have heard and understood everything correctly. Paraphrasing is also a powerful rapport-building tool.
3. Ask them what they would like you to do. In most cases, you will already know what the person wants, but ask them what they would like you to do anyways because it lets them walk away happy by giving them the amount of control they desire.
About The Author
Tristan Loo is an experienced negotiator and an expert in conflict resolution. He uses his law enforcement experience to train others in the prinicples of defusing conflict and reaching agreements. Visit his website at [url]http://www.streetnegotiation.com[/url] or e-mail him directly at [email]tristan@streetnegotiation.com[/email]
WTNY 7-20-2007 18:56
The best way is to spend a dollar and purchase a bag of ear plugs from your local convenience store. And make sure you use both of your arms and hands to protect the ear plugs.
Ailsa1815 7-21-2007 23:12
If i have time,I will listen to them and give some advice so that i can make them feel better!
WTNY 7-22-2007 21:10
You sure are patient. I'm sure your future husband/boyfriend will love you very much.
tingaling 10-5-2007 10:05
avoiding complainers isnt a good way to start, i am a complainer and i dont like to be ignored, that also applies when... i get a complainer at work... i try so hard to ignor, but only when one complains about something you know where to improve!
Vinci 11-29-2007 01:07
True~ They're not looking for resolution. They may still need to complain even if you've offered a good way out... Now I got it lol~
Amandine 11-29-2007 12:25
Reply 7F Vinci's post
yup..
"Let them know that you understand their situation and make them feel comfortable and important." Its important..