People in general like to gossip. From the latest celebrity dating news to the lives of politicians, a lot of people have the urge to sip the so-called “tea” and talk about the lives of other people. But we don’t just encounter “Mariteses” and “Marisols” in our neighborhoods, because they can also be present in our workplaces. Sometimes, we even become one without knowing it!
Workplace gossip can be cathartic and can be used to bond with our co-workers over coffee breaks and lunchtime.However, gossip can also harm our productivity, reputation, relationships, and career. They are usually the root of arguments or misunderstandings in the office. While it’s nice to be in the know with the latest in the office, the thing about gossip is that we ourselves can be the topic of workplace gossip the next day.
Fortunately, in an episode of Breaktime Breakthroughs on Plus Network, trainer, speaker, and content creator Doreen Cooper shared some tips on how we can stay away from gossip in the office.
1. Stick to Facts- Sharing ideas about a task or project during meetings is understandable. However, we need to be cautious about what opinions we share with our workmates, especially when these opinions are about other people. It’s important to remember that whatever comes out of our mouths can spread in the office the next day.
2. Don’t Share Anything Confidential – When we already know that information can’t be shared, we should just keep it to ourselves. So, if there’s news that we’re the source of that information, we can stand firm that our conscience is clear.
3. When Someone Asks for Your Opinion, Redirect the Question to them – We can ask questions like “What do you mean?” Or “What do you think?” to our coworker. This is so we can refrain from contributing to gossip. But if our coworker is persistent to get something from us, we can offer a solution or steer the conversation toward a safe or work-related topic. Instead of gossiping, we can just use our energy and time to do our best at work.
With these tips, avoiding workplace gossip will be a piece of cake!
For more tips for professionals in the workplace, watch more episodes of Breaktime Breakthroughs on PLUS Network or follow WorkWise Asia on Facebook, Instagram, or visit our website.
