It’s natural to need to vent about work sometimes. You’re under a lot of pressure, and sometimes it feels like you just can’t take it anymore.
But venting to your coworkers is risky business. One wrong move and you can find yourself with no friends at the office. So how can you do it without making enemies?
The key is to be respectful and to keep your complaints focused on the work itself, not on the people you work with. Complaining about the boss or your co-workers is only going to make them defensive and less likely to want to help you out.
Also, if feasible, try talking to a friend outside of work or writing in a journal. That way, you can get your frustrations out without putting your work relationships at risk. Continue reading for more deets.
Choose the right audience before venting
We’ve all been there—you’ve had a bad day at work, and the first thing you want to do is a vent to your coworkers. But do you know that venting to the wrong people can make things worse?
When you vent to someone who’s not in a position to do anything about your situation, you’re just wasting your breath. So before you go running off at the mouth, stop and think about who might be the best person to talk to.
Is there someone on your team who has been through something similar? Or is there a manager you can go to for suggestions? Venting is natural, but it’s wise to do it in a way that doesn’t hurt your career.
Pick your words carefully and be aware of your tone
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When it comes to venting about work, choose your words carefully. You don’t want to say something that you will regret later. And be aware of your tone—you want to avoid coming across as hostile.
Instead, try to focus on the positives, and find a way to communicate constructively. Let your colleagues know that you’re frustrated but still committed to finding a solution.
It can be helpful to have an outlet for your frustrations—something outside of work that you can do to vent. Maybe you can go for a quick run or talk to a close friend over weekend brunch. Just make sure that you’re not taking out your frustrations 100% on your coworkers.
Have a plan to deal with the situation that you’re venting about
You’ve had it with your boss. You’ve had it with the commute. You’ve had it with the clients. But before you let loose at work, think about how that’s going to make you look in front of your coworkers.
It might feel good at the moment to rant and rave about your job, but chances are you’re just going to make yourself look bad. Not to mention, you’re going to make it difficult for people who have to consistently cross paths with you.
Before you start venting, have a plan for how you’re going to deal with the situation that’s driving you crazy. Maybe that means talking to your superior about your concerns or looking for a new job. But whatever it is, have a plan so you’re not just shooting from the hip.
Sure, everyone needs to vent about work sometimes. But if you’re not careful, you could end up alienating your coworkers—or worse, getting yourself in deep trouble with the management. As we’ve mentioned in this post, there are a few key things to keep in mind when venting about work. Make sure you’re talking about work. Avoid openly criticizing your boss or coworkers. Remember that your coworkers are people too, and they don’t deserve to be the target of your venting sessions. If you can keep all of these things in mind, you should be in good shape to vent about work without making enemies.