This evening, as I write, I have mild ranty rage going on.

The injustice of a situation is on my mind - and I want to talk it out.

A few days ago, I wrote about the power of turning a complaint or concern into a request or promise.

I don't want to do that tonight. Do not ask me what my request is. I want to vent!

Which is quite fitting for what I would like to share around some different types of concerns and complaints and how to deal with them...

1. Offloading

Let's start with me tonight. I just want some emotional release. I don't need to be pushed into action, the process of venting will help me in itself. If you are the one in this place, it's sometimes helpful to explain that you just need to offload, you don't need solutions.

How to respond: Provide good listening, empathy and space for the offloading to take place.

2. Recreational complaining

In the UK, lots of people connect socially by moaning about the weather. Today was a day when probably millions of people complained that it's April and it's still cold and wet. Again, this doesn't have a request or promise underneath, it's just a bit of bonding or recreation.

How to respond: Recognise it for being a form of connection. No action is required.

3. Sharing a complaint or concern in relation to a commitment

Finally, we have someone sharing a complaint or request where they are themselves committed to an outcome. They care about the end result of the project or their long-term career in the company. And so, here underneath, there is some potential action to move them forward constructively.

How to respond: Try to elicit the request underneath or discern a promise that needs to be made.

I'm now off to offload in style. See you tomorrow!