Embrace complaints

It’s really uncomfortable to get complaints. Restoring a good impression and correcting any mistakes you may have made takes a toll – on your time and your bank account maybe, but mostly on your pride.

But don’t be fooled by the high pricetag. Most complaints are worth far more than they’ll ever cost you.

More people will drink a corked bottle of wine than send it back. But they'll never buy that wine again. Photo by Odisey via Stock.Xchng

Not only is a complaint a sign that what you do matters – that people actually give a damn – but it’s the most valuable feedback you can get.

Most dissatisfied customers will never tell you about it. They’ll tell their family and friends about it, they’ll warn their coworkers about you, they’ll talk about their poor experience with anyone and everyone … except you.

Anyone who gives you a chance to right your wrongs, correct your mistakes and straighten out any misunderstandings (even if they make their complaints known in the most obnoxious way imaginable), deserves that you go an extra few miles and thank them for the excersize.

Hard to swallow, I know. But there’s a silver lining. If you can make a dissatisfied customer happy again, research tells us that she’ll be more loyal and a better ambassador for you than the customer who was happy all along.

So know this: If you’re ever made to feel like your work is no good, there’s no better time to shine.