Learning to avoid workplace gossip that lead to negativity is vital to focusing on your work and being more productive. If you perceive that gossip is a problem in your office, what should you do? The fact is, you may not be able to change the corporate culture overnight, but you can change your own way of relating to it with these tips.
- Keep your private life private.
Don’t trust personal information with your coworkers. Remember, if they are gossiping about others, they will gossip about you, too. Don’t give what to gossip about.
- Be direct. Commit to a goal of no negative gossip.
Overcoming the urge to participate in gossip is a big hurdle. Start by reminding yourself that you will not be part of spreading gossip. You know you are morally correct by not gossiping, so does the one spreading the gossip. Confront that person and confidently tell him or her that such behavior is making it uncomfortable for you and other coworkers. They will stop.
- Practice changing the subject. Turn it around.
When a topic is brought up for gossip, don’t participate. Instead, turn it around by instantly changing the topic to something else, or saying something positive. If you are smart enough, next time, they won’t raise such topic to you.
- Learn to walk away from gossip situations
Periods before meetings, closure time, way home, lunch breaks etc can be situations for gossip. Avoid such situations as much as you can. Also, if you become the target of gossip, share the problem with management and keep a log of all incidents.
- End the flow.
If there is gossip at your place of work, let it stop with you. If someone passes a juicy story on to you, don’t pass it any further. Take personal responsibility to end the flow.
- Choose your friends wisely at work.
You spend a good deal of time at work so it is natural to make friends with your colleagues. So, be careful when making workplace friends. Share information sparingly until you are sure that you have built up a level of trust.
- Review your company policy.
if any exists, for the guidelines on ethics-related matters.
- Be busy.
Understand that gossipmongers want your attention. If you are seriously busy when a colleague is telling you a gossip, they will know you are not interested and stop.
- Don’t be afraid to go to a superior.
A company interested in a healthy work environment will value the opportunity to correct this type of situation, so, don’t be afraid to report to a superior, especially if the gossip is affecting your work negatively.
Avoiding workplace gossip and negativity will improve time management in your organization. it will also help you establish yourself as a leader and foster a positive work environment.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
