If You’re in Leadership, You’ve Given Up the Right to Complain

Here’s a truth that many leaders need to hear—and few are willing to accept:

If you hold a position of leadership or management, you’ve given up the right to complain.

That may sound harsh, but after 25 years of consulting and coaching high-performing businesses and leaders, I can tell you it’s one of the most important mindset shifts you can make.

Why do I say this?

Because leadership comes with access and authority that others don’t have. You have visibility into things others never see. You have the power to reassign resources, change systems, adjust staffing levels, and influence the direction of the organization every single day. Complaining from a position of power isn’t just unproductive—it’s damaging.

Let me be clear: venting is okay. We’re all human, and even the best leaders have moments of frustration. But there’s a massive difference between venting and taking action… and simply complaining. If you’re unloading your frustration and then doing nothing about it, that’s not leadership. That’s avoidance. And it’s a terrible look for someone who’s supposed to be setting the tone.

When you complain as a leader, here’s what your team actually hears:

• “This problem is bigger than me.”

• “I don’t have control over the outcomes.”

• “I’m not willing to fix this, but I expect you to live with it.”

That mindset erodes the respect you’ve built—sometimes instantly. People follow leaders who take ownership, not those who deflect responsibility or play the victim in their own business.

Let’s get tactical.

If a team member is underperforming, coach them up—or coach them out.
If systems are broken, fix them or get the right people involved to do it.
If you’re overwhelmed, delegate with clarity and stop micromanaging.

Complaining is a symptom. Inaction is the disease. And leadership is the cure.

If you’ve fallen into the trap of “complain and stay the same,” today is the perfect day to break the pattern. Shift your mindset from reaction to response. From blame to action. From venting to vision.

Because the people around you are watching—and they’re either being led by someone who takes ownership… or someone who deflects it.

The real power of leadership is not in your title. It’s in your ability to change the game.

If this message hits home, then you’re probably the kind of leader who’s ready for more. More growth, more alignment, and more clarity on how to lead with impact.

Let’s work together to build a business where leadership drives results.

Visit Leverage4Results.com and schedule a strategy session.

Because you don’t need to keep managing the same problems—you need to lead past them.