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