| Is workplace gossip holding you and your organization | | | | be able to make thing better (or at least any lasting |
| back? Discover the tips you need to turn things around | | | | changes). It really is up to you and the person you |
| fast. | | | | have the issue with to work through the problem. You |
| Even though you may not intend it to happen, at some | | | | letting off steam to all and sundry is a cancer in any |
| point or another you will find yourself caught up in a | | | | organization (be it business, family or social) - because |
| gossip session... both positive and negative! | | | | gossip always breeds distrust (whether you are the |
| Are You Part of the Workplace Gossip? | | | | person being gossiped about or gossiped to). |
| If you're wondering, try this exercise. | | | | Here's How To Handle Someone Who Starts A |
| For the next 24 hours only talk about someone else if | | | | Gossip Session With You |
| they are present. If by chance another individual | | | | If someone starts gossiping to you about someone |
| comes up and starts conversing with you about | | | | who isn't present (or maybe even bagging another |
| another person, you have to take a stand. Say | | | | team), then instead of getting embroiled in it, ask in a |
| something like; "I'm working on not discussing others | | | | supportive but firm way "Are you telling me this so I |
| unless they're present. So can we talk about | | | | can help coach you in how to handle the situation, or |
| something else please?" Granted, you might run out of | | | | do you think we should wait and have this |
| things to say, but it will give you a clear indication about | | | | conversation when (the other person) is available for |
| how much you talk about others and how strong your | | | | us all to work through the problem?". |
| sense of self worth is. | | | | You goal is to show they other person you are happy |
| Think of an individual at work that stays away from | | | | to support them to find a solution to their problem - but |
| workplace gossip. | | | | you are not happy to stand and listen to a complaint |
| * Do you think that individual is secure with | | | | session.! |
| themselves? | | | | Now, there will be occasions when the person will say, |
| * Does the individual have good sense of their own | | | | "No I just want to vent." If this happens, your best |
| self? | | | | response would be; "Listen, just venting isn't going to |
| * Are they successful? | | | | serve you, me or the other person in a positive |
| * Is he/she well liked? | | | | manner. I'm happy to help you problem solve whatever |
| * Do they seem happy? | | | | issues you might have, but I don't want to get caught |
| Contrast this with a person who is known for their | | | | up in venting sessions." |
| workplace gossip: | | | | Once you are able to do this consistently, others will |
| * Do they constantly find fault in others so they look | | | | understand that they can trust you. The will come to |
| better? | | | | understand that you do not want to talk about anyone |
| * Are they well liked and trusted? | | | | unless they are present. This is by far one of the |
| * What's their vibe like - positive or negative? | | | | greatest acts of leadership you can do. Oddly enough |
| * Do they seem they happy? | | | | it is also the most unusual. |
| It's safe to say that most people who are gossip king | | | | Things To Do When You Are Involved In Workplace |
| and queens never really have a healthy inner world | | | | Gossip |
| and generally they aren't well liked or trusted. | | | | Listen, none of us are perfect and chances are you |
| Workplace Gossip Causes Lack of Trust in a | | | | will end up talking negatively about someone. Stay |
| Relationship | | | | calm... you are human. Just remember to be mindful |
| When it's evident that a certain individual provides all | | | | that this is just your version of whatever is happening |
| the workplace gossip, people begin to wonder; "What | | | | and is unlikely to be the entire truth - as the other |
| in the world does he/she say about me when I'm not | | | | person is sure to have a perspective that is |
| around?" The end result is that the gossiper cannot be | | | | somewhat different to yours. So if you catch yourself |
| trusted. | | | | needing to vent, make sure you say something like this |
| You will find that every relationship between two | | | | to the person you are about to dump all your negative |
| people is built around trust, reliability, honor, and integrity. | | | | energy on: "I know this is unhealthy and I am gossiping, I |
| If you're a leader, your credibility will suffer if you are | | | | am stepping out of my integrity but I just need to vent. |
| known as a person who indulges in workplace gossip. | | | | Will you hear me out and then offer me a different |
| It is in your (and your organization's) best interest to | | | | perspective or help me find a way so I can talk to the |
| develop healthy relationships. | | | | other person in a constructive way." |
| Think about this. Have you ever improved someone's | | | | However, the all-time best advice... let the only thing |
| performance by gossiping about them? | | | | that comes out of your mouth be things that are |
| If you are gossiping to a colleague about another | | | | positive. You will rapidly become known as a person |
| person's performance, you are telling the wrong | | | | who inspires and can be trusted by all - something a |
| person. The person you are gossiping to is unlikely to | | | | gossiper is never known for. |
