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May 14, 2007
The Gossip Mill
Gossip is simply an unavoidable presence in all workplaces. As you begin your summer positions, take Holly English's advice and keep the following "gossip rules" in mind:
1. Some gossip is good - That's right. Some gossip can actually be beneficial. Good gossip includes discussion of the latest events and informal workings around the firm. You want to make sure that you are plugged in and aware of what's going on. The way to do that is to have lots of relationships with many people, and to stay connected with them, find out what they're doing, and to hear about what other people are doing.
2. Bad news is a red flag - A simple rule of thumb is that when the gossip being repeated is negative about an individual, you should be on the alert.
3. Beware of people's motives and act accordingly - If someone is passing along negative information about a colleague, you should instantly be alert as to their motives. If you suspect that they are deliberately trying to backstab or otherwise undermine someone else, these are exactly the kinds of conversations to steer well clear of. If not, you could somehow wind up implicated as one of the gossip mongers!
4. Don't repeat information that is ostensibly confidential - Many times people come in possession of confidential information, and inadvertently repeat it, only to find out that the assumption was that the information was closely held. The very fact that you possess the information will be held against you, even if you learned about it innocently. Therefore, be careful about what you repeat to others.
Posted by cld30 at May 14, 2007 03:07 PM