The Squeaky Wheel

Advice

What is the Squeaky Wheel?

The SW is the person (coworker, customer, etc.) who makes the most amount of fuss and ends up receiving a larger allotment of attention.

It does not seem fair, yet it happens all to often.

At your place of work, there is a coworker who is the Squeaky Wheel. They always seem to complain the loudest and always seem to get their way. Perhaps they are complaining to you and perhaps you are accommodating them. Perhaps you are shorted by your employer because Squeaky Wheel is getting your time, attention or accolades.

What can you do about the Squeaky Wheel? Here are some solutions.

1) Ignore them. Let them complain to their heart's content. If they do not get what they want, eventually they will leave.

2) Give into them. Better to pick and choose your battles and win the ones which are really important.

3) Stand up to them. Carefully record their complaints and put it back in their face.
"I know what you are doing, here is the proof. Stop now or leave.".

4) Leave. If you are in an environment which caters to the Squeaky Wheel, do you really want to be there?

5) Migrate. Move to another role in which Squeaky Wheels are not welcome or is hazardous to their livelihood.

Squeaky Wheels are prevalent in every company. Remember, they typically congregate where they have the greatest effect, i.e. they get what they want. Eventually, they will die out as a species; in the meantime, find a way around or away from them.

Happy Monday.