The Rule of Grumbling: Measuring the Pulse of Community Health

The Rule of Grumbling:
Measuring the Pulse of Community Health

The buzz heard within a group is a vital sign of whether or not the system is working properly. Vital signs are critical to understanding and monitoring the health of any complex system like an organization. Like the human body, organizations are composed of subsystems which has its own specialization. Regardless of purpose, each part interacts with another part. In a healthy system like an organization, everyone works together in a symbiotic or harmonious manner.

Monitor the Health of Your Organization
Subordinate grumbling is a vital sign that is believed to be the best indicator of health of an organization.
Vital signs are not just monitoring devices.
Tracking grumbling should be an obsession for the senior executive.
Leader’s decisions may be the root cause for subordinate grumbling.

Emphasis on Grumbling by St. Benedict
Rule 4
Rule 5
Rule 23
Rule 34
Rule 40
Rule 41
Rule 53

The Lessons of Grumbling
Subordinate grumbling will effectively destroy the basis of group cohesion.
Grumbling is contagious, and if left untreated it can take on a life on its own.
Some people may just be chronic grumblers and habitual whiners.
Poor management decisions can cause grumbling by even the most dedicated employee.

Pay Attention to Your Public Face
A certain type of person should staff the so-called "front desk," someone who is informed and hospitable.
Seemingly unglamorous positions should have special attention, training, and rewards.

Leadership the Benedictine Way
Grumbling is the most important vital sign of group health and dysfunction.
Grumbling needs to be tracked and the source of the grumbling needs to be identified.
Grumbling is contagious and infectious.
Some grumbling may, in fact, be justified; if so, fix the problem.