Do you have a lot of mean-spirited workplace gossip? If you have one of these, you probably do. In this video, we're going to talk about how nasty workplace gossip can be. I'm going to give you 4 easy strategies that will help you get past it.
Once you learn how to avoid that gossip, the next step is for you to focus on yourself and your job. Stay tuned to the end of this video because I have a really cool download for you that's going to help you do just that. For tips on accelerating your professional career, don't forget to subscribe to my channel. Hit that bell so you can be notified of my videos that get published every Wednesday.
Hi, I'm Madrina Gurdler, a productivity expert, and I have over 20 years in the business. That being said, over the years, I have come across tons of office politics, and I'm going to share with you my key 4 strategies that I have used over the years to get away from that rumor mill and keep my reputation intact.
Flatten that negative gossip.
If someone gives you some really negative gossip, turn it around by saying something positive. For example:
"Hey, did you see Jim? He drank a lot at that office function."
What you can say is:
"There was a lot of alcohol there, but it was such a good time overall."
Focus on the positive and steer away from the person and the negativity.
Ignore the office gossipers.
Try to ignore the gossipers. If someone's coming your way and you can turn a corner or go in the opposite direction, do it. Office gossipers are like fruit flies—they just see it and hang on. Don't engage with them, and avoid them whenever possible.
Don’t vent.
This is how people often get in trouble with office gossip—the venting part of it. Really, pick your friends wisely. You do need to vent a little bit at times because stress can build up. But here's the key:
Put it in the vault. Better yet, put it with someone you trust, like a family member or a friend outside your organization. The problem with venting to coworkers is that it's a small world, and things often come back to people. So, do not vent.
Don’t spread the news.
Sometimes you just can't avoid hearing gossip. In that case, the next best step is not to spread the news. Zip your lip, keep quiet, and leave it at that.
Now that you've mastered how to avoid workplace gossip, it's time to focus on your work.
I have a really cool download for you: 21 tips on how to get work done efficiently and do it well. This includes advice on meeting facilitation, time management, organization strategies, and much more. You can grab this by going to the link below.
Please subscribe to this channel, give it a thumbs up, and share it with all the new professionals you know.
If you liked this video, please leave a comment below. Have you ever heard workplace gossip? I’d love to hear your story. Until the next video—bye!
Source: Adriana Girdler. (2019, February 27). Workplace Gossip (Rules to Avoid Office Gossip) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWDPCR-G4IU