Are You a Professional Faultfinder?

Every office has this type of individual, a faultfinding complainer who specializes in pulling others down. Professional faultfinders, for the most part, feel that they are doing a great service by constantly pointing out the shortcomings of others; some even believe that their criticism is helpful.{{more}} Seeing a coworker improve his or her performance, dress or speech could draw comments like “ah ting she ah play” or “who he tink he be” and even “me nah know wey wrong wid dem.”

Faultfinders never leave themselves open long enough to see the opportunity that lies in challenging situations on the job. Instead, they prefer to spend time talking about the problem and/or person and not about solutions. Oftentimes, people who go out of their way to complain constantly and berate coworkers are very insecure with themselves and their self-esteem is usually very low. Faultfinders feel powerless to make any significant positive change in their own lives and tend to get upset with anyone who attempts to advance themselves. The only power they feel they possess is the power to speak ill of others, and their time is spent mastering this art.

If you work with a faultfinder, you know how dangerous they can be. Faultfinders can make the workplace unbearable and even hostile. Take a few moments to evaluate the kinds of conversation you engage in on a daily basis. Do you think you might be guilty of being a chronic faultfinder? As you examine yourself, know that true power and confidence is not achieved when you constantly belittle and criticize others. Instead, strive to be the problem solver, the encourager, the one who sees possibilities among mistakes and problems.

Karen Hinds is “The Workplace Success Expert.” For a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on Avoiding Career Killers in the Workplace, send an email to info@workplacesuccess.com
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