As the old adage goes, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. The people who complain the most get the most attention—and fair or not, they get what they want. Yet most of us are uncomfortable with the idea of complaining. We don’t want to make a noise about things, much less an irritating one.
But when our annoyance is greater than our inertia and we simply cannot stand it anymore, irritation is a powerful way to change things.
If you want action, don’t underestimate the willingness to complain, to niggle, to wear people down until they would rather change than listen to the sound of us complaining for another minute—until it is less painful to just make the process better.
Kids are artists at this. At some point, most parents have just given in to just shut them up—it’s called “pester power.” It’s a proven marketing theory that kids will pester their parents relentlessly until buying them that thing hurts less than not buying it.
Most adults are too socially compliant to be that annoying. We do not want to be squeaky wheels for fear of rejection, so we keep quiet. It’s hardly surprising, because from an early age, we are taught that complaining is impolite. We are conditioned to say nothing and to get on with it (besides the few times we stayed strong until Mom and Dad folded).
Yet those willing to defy this, to complain, can actually change things that aren’t working—or, at the very least, draw attention to issues we otherwise might not have noticed. The loudest squeak gets the go-ahead, the OK. The silent soldier just carries onward, hoping someone will notice the same things they do and do something about it. Leaders and organizations willing to speak out about what’s wrong can inspire people to follow them as they seek out a better way.
So how do you become a squeaky wheel and harness the power of complaining? Here are four suggestions:
1. Don’t complain about everything; complain about one thing.
Squeaky wheels are not simply making an irritating noise; they are asking for oil, which means there is a clear reason for why they are behaving the way that they are.
Constant complaining on multiple topics quickly turns you from a squeaky wheel to a whiney complainer. Defining what you are complaining about and being clear on why you are doing so is important if you want to be heard.
2. Have an idea on how to fix it.
Granted your theory on fixing things may not be perfect, but the point is that you are attempting to solve it—not simply hoping someone else will. Complaining with a vision of a better way is not the same as moaning.
3. Don’t be afraid of a little negativity.
The power of positivity might be trending in business right now, but negative motivators are extremely influential, too. Look at breakpoints and what you aren’t doing so well—not just the things that areworking. If you don’t have any ideas, you are not listening hard enough to the squeaky wheels around you.
4. Be willing to be not be liked.
Complaining is a little annoying, but that is precisely the point. Your willingness to say what’s not popular, what’s not being said, is what is required to challenge the status quo. Squeaky wheels need to accept the fact that not everyone will like what they hear, and that people will try and cover their ears or look the other way. People who change things are a lot of times seen as misfits because they question the way things have always been done. But if we are willing to keep squeaking, someone will eventually bring the oil can.
Complaining is a little annoying, but that is precisely the point. Your willingness to say what’s not popular, what’s not being said, is what is required to challenge the status quo. Squeaky wheels need to accept the fact that not everyone will like what they hear, and that people will try and cover their ears or look the other way. People who change things are a lot of times seen as misfits because they question the way things have always been done. But if we are willing to keep squeaking, someone will eventually bring the oil can.
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