Complaining for Power: The Role of Complaints in Gaining Influence

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People complain for power because it appeals to our animal mind and reptilian brain.
Complaining for power is prevalent on social media and in politics.
Having a complaint is essential for a political campaign.
Media focuses on highlighting what is wrong and missing.
Complaining is a way for people to gain support and build a base of power.

My flight was awful. The restaurant's service was terrible. The traffic was horrible. My boss is the worst. Our culture is the stupidest.

Whenever we get together with other people, we hear lots of complaints, and plenty come out of our own mouths.

All this complaining may be ubiquitous, but it's not entirely innocuous. Complaining puts us in a negative mood, hurts our health, and damages our relationships.

If you've ever wanted to complain less, my guest today has some advice on how to break the complaining habit and embrace a more positive and proactive life. His name is Will Bowen, and he's the founder of the Complaint Free movement and the author of A Complaint Free World. Today on the show, Will first defines what constitutes a complaint. He then shares the five main reasons people offer complaints, so you can learn to recognize what triggers yours. Will also explains how to deal with being on the receiving end of each type of complaint, so you don't have to listen to the complaining of others.