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Gossip Diminishes Safety

Writer's picture: Jade LeeJade Lee

Updated: Feb 25, 2024

It is easy to talk about people behind their back - certain work environments seem to encourage us to work in such a manner. However, it is a sure-fire way to reduce psychological safety in any team. It often takes a lot of courage to step away from a conversation where people are talking about others, however, this is what is required if you want a team of cohesive and collaborative individuals. As a leader, this is even more important, at the crux of people respecting you is that you are someone who acts with honour. Those that you are supporting needs to believe in you, know that you have their best interests at heart, and if you are gossiping about anybody, this will be brought into question.


You cannot gossip about one person and expect that somebody else will not realise that you are talking about them as well. As a leader, you are privy to information about all members of the team that should not be shared with others, and as a trusted colleague, you are also privy to information about your colleagues that they have asked you not to share with others. It is simply a case of treating others as you would like to be treated. If you have confided in somebody, do you expect that other people will talk about it as well? Of course not!


When people have a “secret”, they are busting with the need to share it, so they may decide that it is OK to share it with “just one person” who in turn shares it with just one person, and before you know it, the secret has blown through the workplace like a bushfire.


The aim of cultivating connection within a group of people is that we are fostering respect, belonging, and trust. Gossiping about others undermines that at the core. We can fall into the trap of thinking that getting involved in drama is a little bit of fun, a welcome relief to the drudgery of work, however, we need to think carefully about what drama it's bringing into our work environment and how it is affecting our team culture. The best way to cope with gossip is to walk away and give it no airtime, people will quickly realise that this is not acceptable and as such the behaviour will stop.


Think before you speak, consider how other people in your team will be affected by your words and behaviour, and consider the reputation you would like to have as a colleague. Getting involved in drama is the best way to waste time and develop a poor reputation.


If you would like to work with a more supportive team, feeling unfulfilled with your work life for one reason or another, I would love to talk to you about my Career Coaching package designed to improve fulfillment in your career.



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