The dance of avoiding office gossip is a tricky one. Learn to tango your way around the best of the office gossips.
Office gossip is something I try to avoid. It is tough though, as gossip is sexy. It is intriguing to know who is sleeping with whom and what the boss is like on his off time. As intriguing as it is, it isn’t so funny when you are the subject of the gossip.
Avoiding gossip is tricky. You don’t want to be the outcast for not participating in the juice fest, but then again, you don’t want your reputation to be tarnished by being associated with the queen or king of office gossip. My advice is to tread very carefully and participate only in office gossip that isn’t hurting anyone. Talk about the changes that are happening in the business or the industry, not the people involved and you should be able to steer clear of playing a part in a personal vendetta.
Comments taken out of context seem to be the favourite flavour for office gossips. They twist and bend a situation for its sex appeal. They look for Achilles heals. Don’t fall for it. Ask questions and get the real scoop from the people involved if you can. Don’t trust a gossip.
Be careful when exposing a gossip to the person the gossip centers around. There is no worse enemy than a gossip scorned. They can retaliate in evil ways especially if they have a following. Instead, let them dig their own grave. They usually do at some point. Besides, you have better things to do than to discuss someone’s indiscretions at the company picnic, right?
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