Don't Get Sidetracked by Squeaky Wheels!

You've heard the adage, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil,” meaning that the loudest people gain the most attention. The complaining shopper gets free credit at a store. The crying sibling gets more sympathy from her parents. The co-worker with the best boasting skills receives the promotion. According to Wolfe J. Rinke, Ph.D., an experienced executive leader, management consultant, professional speaker, and author of Don’t Oil the Squeaky Wheel, it’s time to throw away your oil can. In his book, Rinke notes that if you’re spending more than 5% of your time on trouble makers, you’re messing up. He maintains that if you want your team members to be positive, trusting, turned on, and tuned in, then you must spend the majority of your time with the people who behave that way, and while they are doing that, help you succeed faster.

There will always be “squeaky wheels” passionately objecting to change. However, it is important not to allow these detractors to sidetrack the team from realizing organizational objectives. Leaders must see past the squeaky wheels, while encouraging the team to be thoughtful, evaluate and value the opinions of team members, and challenge ideas when appropriate in the pursuit of finding the best solution, not the loudest.