DaveOps

TL;DR: Only complain to those who can make a difference.

_{This is taken from one of my early blogs.}

We all have reasons to complain when things don’t go well, yet we must consider what happens when a complaint is complained.

First, what goes around comes around.  This refers to the spirit and intent of your complaint.  If by making your complaint you intend that things be better, and that comes through in your complaint, then that is what will happen (eventually).  If you intend to gain sympathy for your cause, then that is what will happen (eventually).

I’ve seen first hand how complaints can accrete other complaints, and soon all that is present is the complaints and not the original vision (the lack of which causes the complaint).

So because complaints exist in the context of some higher possibility, it is best to phrase them with reference to that.  “Here’s how to make this better,” not: “this sucks, period.”  This especially true where passionate persons such as Software Engineers are concerned, because their passion does much to fuel the conversation.

Complaining is necessary, but it is a powerful tool.  By complaining to the actual person or agency that can make a difference, you are focusing your request where it will do the least harm and the most good.  If you air it to the lunch crowd, you’ll gain sympathy and they’ll all gain a shittier perspective of the system you are in.  If you air it to the same crowd but spin it as a request for help, information or guidance, then that is what will be present, and you’ll actually move through the issue at hand to a resolution more quickly.  This is, as the Buddhists, say, skillful means.

Or as Captain Picard might say, “You wanted to make a difference.  Here’s your chance.  Make it a good one.”