Entry 4- Complain

Complain

Don’t complain, ya right! Funny how Carnegie goes on to complain about the complainers, but hey it’s tough not to do. Complaints, let’s look at complaints and all the good they have done.

Complaints brought us the seat belt
Complaints brought us the safety cap.
Complaints brought us a cleaner environment.
Complaints brought us better working conditions.
etc, etc, etc.

Complaining has given us better lives, better products and better government. Companies even encourage people to complain in order to offer better service. When they don’t get them, they assume they are doing a great job even though it may be just fear stopping people from complaining.

As with the other techniques, don’t abuse this one. Choose your moments well, unless you really don’t care about the ramifications. Some people over-complain and while that will allow you to influence people, it will certainly win you no friends. Not to mention that some people really are cry babies and cannot handle legitimate complaints being directed at them.

So I say don't be afraid of complaining, complaining can be extremely effective in winning friends and influencing people provided you complain properly. If it's between friends, be loud, critcize and complain. If you can get a little media attention, be even louder, criticize more, and complain more thoroughly. Remember well, that though some people may be angered by your complaining, if you do it properly, they will have listened to you and you will have at least influenced them.