The gossip department

One office worker conversing with another said, “I am sorry I can’t tell you anything more. I have in fact told you more than what has happened.”

Every time I run a seminar I would ask: “Are gossips rampant in the work place?” Before I even finish the question, all would say “Yes!” loudly, with full conviction. “And where do gossips thrive?” is my follow-up question. “The Pantry and rest rooms!” comes the usual response.

People, most especially those who have nothing to do, simply love to talk. And people especially love talking about other people. This is why tabloids, magazines and TV programs make it their full-time business to gossip about interesting personalities. But to gossip about people and to gossip against people in the workplace is not a very professional thing to do.

Fact is, people talk about each other, but in most cases, the conversation pieces are healthy, leading to stronger work relationships. But when talks shift to ugly rumors, these can negatively affect the office environment and create unnecessary conflicts.

In the article entitled, “What Kind of Office Gossip Are You?” Robert Half International describes the five common rumormongers in the workplace:

1. The tape recorder.

You confess to a colleague that you’re worried about your supervisor who hasn’t been very focused the last three weeks and has been coming in late to work. Later that day, like a game of office telephone, you hear a version of your story from a different co-worker. The Tape Recorder takes your confidential conversations and plays them back to everyone in the office. Rather than malicious intent, the Tape Recorder’s motivation is often to feel important or “in the know”.

2. The marathoner

This is the co-worker who shows up at your desk and, even if you’re busy, insists on sharing all the “juicy” news she’s heard — about a colleague, a co-worker’s sister and even a friend of a friend that you’ve never met. The Marathoner will gossip over coffee in your cube in the morning, bring up more information when she runs into you at break time, then pick up from where she left off with you as you both leave the building at night.

3. The double agent

This individual plays both sides. He gossips to you about the boss, then turns around and talks to the boss about you. He exhibits the same Double Agent behavior with other colleagues. Unfortunately, the Double Agent does not usually get exposed until you or somebody else gets into trouble because of his antics.

4. The scent hound

This individual sniffs around for more information whenever the office is abuzz with speculation. When a high-ranking employee leaves the company and the management comes out with an official statement saying the job will be awarded to an internal employee, you can count on the Scent Hound to sniff and dig more into the matter.

5. The complainer

This person regularly discusses his grievances with you — and everyone else in the office. While it’s natural to vent when frustrated, there’s a difference between confiding in someone you trust and routinely complaining to just about anyone who will listen. The Complainer makes sharing candid thoughts a hobby: One week, he’s unhappy with Joe in accounting; the next he’s surprised by the subpar performance of Liz in marketing.

When it comes to office gossip, think of how you’d like others to respond to hearsay about you.

With full courtesy, respect and diplomacy, avoid the workplace rumor mill as an excellent way to show your colleagues, and your manager, that you are trustworthy, dependable and professional.

Somebody once said, “Most of us can keep a secret. It is the people we tell it to who can’t.” According to Earl Wilson, “Gossip is when you hear something you like about someone you don’t.”

Behave professionally. Act professionally and be a professional. Don’t gossip and don’t be interested in gossip. Get busy and concentrate on your work. Even the Bible says God hates rumor mongers. Shallow people talk about other people, but intelligent people talk about ideas.

(Francis Kong will do a repeat of his highly successful “Culture of Personal Excellence on March 3, 2010 at the SMX Convention Center. For further inquiries contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-6872614 or 09178511115)