Most gossip mongers are pure attention-seekers. Participating in gossips are ways for people who lack the power to gain informal influence among their peers. Just as a racehorse wears blinders to stay focused and win the race, similarly, when it comes to your job, stay focused to your work and do not get distracted by gossip that could only deflect you from accomplishing your professional goals.
Next time your colleagues try to trash talk with you, follow these points to (politely) shut it down.
Identify Gossip; Remind yourself at the start of every conversation
Many fall prey without even understanding that they are a party to gossiping. It seems harmless fun to start with. So, for any water cooler discussion in office, ask yourself the following 3 questions –
Does this discussion help me anyway?
Is the discussion true?
Is the discussion good?
If any of the above answers come in negative, you know what to do. Exit the conversation immediately.
Be the end of line
It is a human tendency to know the secrets flowing around the office. When you are at the listening end of a gossip, stop it from spreading by simply shutting up and keeping it to yourself.
Walk away from situations where others are gossiping
Gossips are a lethal part of office culture that strains relationships and kill morale. Politely walk away from the gossip talks and get on with something more productive.
Don't spread the news you overhear
When the light conversation turns negative, you have ventured into gossip terrain. Avoid giving visual clues that you are interested in the gossip. Do not pass on the juicy story you overheard. Need not make any comments to the tale so that nobody can quote you for saying anything ever in the future.
In severe cases, bring it to the notice of your HR
Not all gossips stay as harmless discussion. Some gossips have the potential to create negative perception, hurt feelings or result into the exit of good employees. When workplace slander goes beyond gossip and hurt feelings, talk to your boss and the Human Resources department.