ANDRES, Marc Angelo C.

CITRON, Raphael Louis B.

LOPEZ, Ehrveenechrist A.

4CPS
January 30, 2015
BENE03

THE RULE OF GRUMBLING

Monitor the Health of your Organization
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 have 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.
For St. Benedict, it originated from the Latin word, Murmurare which means
to make noise at a low volume or to mutter or grumble. Grumbling in a group is the
vital sign of whether or not the system is working properly. Therefore, excellent and
successful leaders observe and analyse these noises of dissatisfaction for it might
kill or destroy the whole system if left unchecked.

The Lessons of Grumbling

First, subordinate grumbling will effectively destroy the basis of group
cohesion; it undermines the respect that bonds the community together. Grumbling
is subtle, it often goes unnoticed by the senior leaders until too late.
Second, grumbling is contagious, and if left untreated it can destroy take on a
life of its own. Like a malignant cancer, a culture of grumbling can rapidly spread to
attack the most remote corners of an organization.
Third, to Benedict, die-hard grumblers must be identified, and the lessons of
the rule subsequently applied to hopefully improve such behaviors. Some people
may just be chronic grumblers and habitual whiners but Benedict sees a clear and
present danger in such behavior.
Fourth, grumbling can always be an indication of systematic illness,
something that will need deeper investigation. Poor management decisions can
cause grumbling by even the most dedicated employee. Grumbling may, in fact, be
justified, to use the rules language.

Pay Attention to your Public Face

According to the Rule of St. Benedict, every organization should have a front
desk who is someone which is hospitable and responsible enough. These staffs
make the first contact to the customers and all those who are coming contact in the
organization. This also makes the first impression on the organization, which makes
the lasting impression to the system. Not only that it has a very good effect on the
customers and other people, but it also spreads the hospitality and goodwill that
yields into optimism.

An example of an excellent leader who practices and hire good people is Walt
Disney, he knew that if the parking attendants, ticket sellers, and custodians are
grumpy it can take away the magic from Disneyland. Therefore, he made sure that
these people received 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.