I have written quite a few articles for IPD over the years, so I feel like you have gotten to know me pretty well; therefore, this confession may come as a bit of a shock, but I am a closet curmudgeon.

To those who read the articles on the IPD website, this may surprise you because I write about engaging employees, valuing people’s input, and encouraging chit chat at work.  And, I believe in all those things – no, really… I really do because I strive to keep my inner-curmudgeon hidden during the workday.

(Disclaimer: Truth be told, as I get older, my curmudgeonliness may be more out in the open than I am aware of and not so much of a secret to those who interact with me regularly.)

But now… I may not have to hide or attempt to keep my curmudgeon self hidden any longer.

New research is debunking the myth that the always-happy employee is your most productive employee.

You may feel that some of my articles have promoted that theory.  I would like to be on record saying that I promote how engagement affects productivity.  If you go back and read my articles, engagement looks different than happy.  Engagement is not about sugar-coating bad news or smiling until your cheeks hurt; engagement is:

• Removing inane processes that create unnecessary barriers to work completion
• Enabling flexible work situations for life adaptability
• Thanking people for specific accomplishments and contributions
• Being a part of a team that includes and respects each other – even if someone is a curmudgeon
• Providing challenging work that helps people contribute to the organization

To quote the famous Ted Lasso*, “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”  In other words, easy and happy are not the same as challenged and engaged.

If you are not already a curmudgeon, it’s not too late to take up the challenge. And remember, if it is not uncomfortable at first, you may not be doing it right – or maybe you are a closet curmudgeon too, and you feel a weight being lifted.

 If you are not convinced that grumpy is good, stay tuned for our next installment: Because the Research Says So… (be sure you say the title in your best curmudgeon voice) which is Part 2 in the 3-Part Series: Celebrating the Grumpy Coworker.

*I have a new person on my team who shares a Ted Lasso quote each week – which is where I heard this one.  I hear that Ted Lasso is a “feel-good show,” but I am too much of a cheapskate (cousin to curmudgeon) to pay for Apple TV, so I am not sure if Ted falls into the always-happy employee category.  I am hoping not, but that may just be the curmudgeon in me.

Here are the strengths your Grumpy Coworker brings to your team:

1.Analytical

The grumpy coworker brings the correct mood to be analytical.  Research finds that when people are in a grumpy mood, they perform analytical tasks better. Besides being skeptical, you can use your grumpiness to proofread documents, search for numerical inconsistencies, review data for trends and patterns, and identify inconsistencies in new situations or processes that warrant more attention.  Because skeptics ask for proof, they bring critical thinking, innovation, and integrity to any workplace problem-solving discussion.

2. Status Quo Challenger

Grumpy people are more likely to speak up and open topics in conversations that others may be afraid to address.  Curmudgeons do not care if they are liked, or at least, liked by everyone all the time, so they are OK saying what needs to be said. Their intriguing comments can increase the engagement of other team members. Someone who is willing to challenge the status quo helps your team avoid Groupthink and is actually, ironically, a catalyst for positive change.  Organizations who listen to their grumpy challengers are more likely to be innovative and adapt to uncontrollable forces. And, also ironically, the curmudgeons’ workplace longevity is a testament to the qualities of resiliency and agility – not traits we usually associate with curmudgeons

3. Persistent

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, angry people are better at thinking innovatively for out-of-the box solutions and more likely to persist in the challenging work to implement those solutions. Angry is one step beyond grumpy, but I still felt the study was worth noting here. Curmudgeons have standards; they know how things should be done and they are willing to put in the time and energy to ensure those standards are being met on behalf of their team, department, organization.

4. Productive

In the United States, we tend to value more highly someone who is even-keeled as a team member than someone who is grumpy.  However, research shows that anger is the most productive emotion. Anger was the best emotion for problem-solving and overcoming a challenge – more so than cheerfulness, sadness, or apathy.  Again, grumpy coworkers may be more irritated than angry, but they are still on the right track.

Things can go wonky in the workplace.  The curmudgeonly grumpy coworker says This is wonky.  This needs to be fixed.  This is bordering on ridiculous.  We need to stop this. (As a closet curmudgeon these phrases are familiar to me) along with This is very frustrating.  This makes it difficult for me to do my work.  This does not mean that the situation will be fixed or even addressed although organizations are more likely to fix things when made aware that they do not work.  By stating their unhappiness out loud, the curmudgeon can help their organization fix process and be more efficient.

The curmudgeon is also more productive as an individual worker. The American Psychology Association states that by expressing anger and frustration, you can be more productive at work.  When you are unhappy and frustrated, but are afraid to express those feelings, you can waste energy on pretense.   Smiling and pretending that everything is OK when it is not, takes time and energy – time and energy that you are not using to get work done. Passive acceptance of bad situations is not necessarily positive.  Another study showed that women who are happy all the time at work are less likely to be promoted.