I recently read an article on Inc.com, Listening to Complainers is Bad for Your Brain, that referenced scientific evidence that exposure to a long grip session impacts brain activity negatively.
Most professionals are guilty of starting or participating in gripe sessions with colleagues. However, these sessions often take a turn that affects the attitudes of participants and thus productivity at work.
That being the case I was hoping to inspire a conversation around how to avoid the desire to complain, mitigate the complaining of co-workers, and venting in a way that is not unproductive.
In terms of personal behavior, before complaining, I would offer it is can be helpful to consider the consequences of your complaining not only yourself, but also to those to whom you are venting. At times, we may not give adequate consideration as to how our actions affect our co-workers. Also, consider asking yourself "will complaining really make me feel better or accomplish anything". If you feel the answer is yes, then try to frame your concerns in a manner that have an element of humor as to "vent", but not have a negative tone to a conversation.
In terms of mitigating the complaining of co-workers, you can chose not to "fuel the fire" and just listen, just walk away from those conversations, work to change the subject, or even mention to a serial complainer the consequences on their actions (including his or her reputation with co-workers).
There is a difference between venting and complaining. Sharing challenges and commiserating with co-workers can be therapeutic in some level and not completely unproductive, but there is a fine line between venting and just complaining for the sake of complaining.
