We all have at least one colleague who is constantly complaining and, it seems, can never say anything pleasant and positive.
Emotions are contagious, and a negative attitude can spread quickly. This can adversely affect morale and productivity.
Negative communication depletes the energy of people and drains the joy of work. Even if you cannot control the actions of other people, you can prevent negative effects on your own work.
Find the root of the problem
If you work closely with a major specialist, try to find the source of the problem, as psychologists advise. Does your colleague complain about inadequacy, loneliness, fear, fatigue? Does this happen at a specific time every day? Find out all the necessary information, and this can help you nip all complaints in the bud. Often, when people are afraid of something, they turn to complaints as a way of survival, so finding the root cause and helping to eliminate some fears can dull the flow of negativity.
Change the subject in time
People who cannot do without complaints need those who will listen to their stories, so if you do not provide them with a place to file their complaints, they will go to another place. If you allow a person to pour your soul into your vest, nothing will change, and the situation will only worsen. A change of subject can be a good way out. The great thing about work is that it is always salvation. You can simply say: "I understand that it upsets you, but I have to get back to work." Although it is tempting to join in with complaints, it only adds fuel to the fire and strengthens your openness to such conversations.
Set certain boundaries
If you work closely with an endless complainer and need to meet with him often, set some clear limits. Psychologists recommend having an agenda and sticking to it. Let the person know that you only have 30 minutes to talk, and structure the interaction as much as possible. If the complainant comes to your office, a good way to limit the conversation is to get up and leave. Another way to keep the complainant is to explain how you are changing your approach to work. Declare a personal decision that you do not want to complain about any things and listen to such things, as this bothers you.
Delicate approach
It can be difficult to tell someone that their negative attitude affects your work.Psychologists offer to tell the person that you need to talk about something delicate, and ask if he is ready to discuss this issue. Carefully, but confidently, tell your interlocutor what exactly does not suit you. Yes, it can be embarrassing, but in this way you will defend yourself from the amount of negativity that spills over you every day.
Involve the boss in a situation
If the situation gets out of hand and affects your work productivity, consider transferring it to the team leader. Engaging the boss can be risky and most likely will make you look like a traitor, so be careful with this approach. Imagine that this is a business problem, not a personality. Managers hate personal issues.
Note that you are concerned that such conversations are affecting morale in the office and that you are having trouble doing your work due to interaction with the complainant. Try to find possible solutions and ideas that could help the situation. You want to be a team player and try to help a person who seems unhappy and for this reason pours all his negativity onto other people.
