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“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
― Quote by Late Henry Thomas Buckle, a British historian.
Gossiping is not limited to the hit TV series Gossip Girls. It is all pervasive and has seeped into all aspects of our lives. You indulge in it and chances that you are also at the receiving end (at home, social circles, or even at work). As they say, what goes around comes around. Gossip is not harmless from any angle, so there is no reason for any of us to participate, condone or listen to it. IT can hurt, damaged psyches, have negative fallouts including self-harm / violence, and ruin careers. In this blog, we are specifically addressing gossip in the workplace and what we can all do to be professional in all aspects. Hope this blog will be of use to you all in making your offices a positive and happy place for all.
Here are some suggested strategies to stop gossip in the workplace:
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Call out gossip for it is and pivot the conversations to more positive vibes. If you are filling up on coffee in the pantry, sipping water from the water cooler, or having lunch with colleagues in the cafeteria, make sure all work related conversations remain positive and constructive. If you overhear your colleagues indulge in any form of conversations that seem like gossip / offensive, stop them right there and then. You could say “this sounds like gossip” or “ this conversation needs to be stopped. What is the intent behind it? “. Whatever be the forum for office conversations, spend your energy and conversations in mentoring and problem-solving conversations — not in conversations that don’t have positivity / solution, etc.
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Introspect on why you need to seek third party opinions on action, behaviours, or words of a colleague (peer, senior or junior, anyone). How will it help anyone? Are you seeking validation? Are you seeking support? Are you having malicious intent? There has to be an express purpose for the same. If these conversations lead to solutions or a complaint or an investigation, then it’s fine. Otherwise, it is just idle gossip or professional slander. Beware of slander, it can cost you in many ways.
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Have a clearly stated policy of “ if anyone has any issues with me, please tell me. I am open to feedback and amends “. This needs to be reiterated over and over. And remind your colleagues when they gossip about another with you. Just say “Have you told him? “ or “ wouldn’t it be better to discuss the same with X or Y”? This way you are not privy or encouraging idle talk.
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If you own / lead / manage a company / team / department, it is incumbent to curate a culture of transparency, dialogue, openness, and discussions. All available forums for everyone to share / express their views and opinions and “ be heard “. Nip the gossip in the bud. Don’t give anyone a reason to express themselves in a negative fashion.
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