Whining

There’s the quote that says “Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions”.

Know it?

It always has something about whining added to it — meaning, if you don’t have a solution, then all you’re doing is whining.

Lot’s have been written on this over the years — especially the one about the solution being bigger than the person who is bringing the problem. For example — a passenger notices that a planes engine has fallen off, does the passenger have a solution? Probably not.

But I have to say, 90% of the time (or more), there is a solution — or, more importantly, if the person (an employee) can’t “do” the solution, they can at least suggest a solution if they know of one.

Some of the greatest staffers I’ve ever had were ones that had problems, couldn’t provide a personal solution, but had suggestions on how to solve the problem.

In the case above, the passenger could say (if they survive), that all planes should have their bolts tightened. They can’t do it, but they can suggest a solution.

I went into a meeting one time, when I was young (like, first job), and brought up a problem with my boss. She looked at me and asked “What do you think we should do to solve it?”

I said “I don’t know, but can it be fixed?”

She replied with “When you have a solution or a few, please get back to me with what you think we can do.” And then dismissed me (no, not in a bad way, just, in the way that was respectful but was also one that was so full of a “teaching moment”).

I went, spent more time on looking for a solution than I spent on whining about it, found a couple of solutions, and then presented them to her. Which then lead us to solving the problem.

Since that day, when I presented a problem to my staff or my higher-ups, I always had a solution, or a suggestion to a solution. And, on those rare occasions where I couldn’t even come up with a suggestion, I would always open up with telling them that I had no idea how to solve the problem, but we had a problem, and I was open to whatever suggestion(s) they may have.

I do my due-diligence. I do the research. I want my staff or my boss to not have to spend more time on anything other than approving or jumping on board or finding the person who could solve the problem (if the people I thought could solve it were wrong).

In other words, don’t apologize for bringing up a problem. But, provide a solution or suggestion to a solution before you ever bring up a problem to anyone (even your spouse). It’s how discussions are fruitful, that recognition and respect are given, and the opportunity to learn is provided.

Of course, there are those individuals who would rather whine than provide solutions or answers. And like I always say, they either get fired or promoted (out of their current department so the boss doesn’t have to deal with them anymore).

Don’t be a whiner. (I should then say “Be a winner”. But that’s kinda cheesy.)

Good luck out there. Spend double the time you would on whining so you can find a solution.