Heard it Through the Grapevine

I’ve written before on this blog about how some things--exclusion, disrespect, cutthroat competition--are so toxic to a workplace that they need to be addressed immediately. The trouble is, they aren’t always displayed in plain view. More often than not, they hide in the shadows, especially when a leader is in the room. 

How, then, are we supposed to address them if we can’t even detect them? You have to look for a subtle sign of what’s going on beneath the surface. Poker players call this a “tell.” In the workplace, one of the most common tells for toxicity is gossip.

Gossip often poses as something positive. “Let me share this juicy bit of information, because I trust you.” Or maybe: “This is something I thought you ought to know.” It’s often used to bond with a colleague, or curry favor with a leader. 

So what distinguishes gossip from mere information? First of all, gossip is usually more opinion than fact. It’s often a narrative based on inaccurate or incomplete information. It may ascribe motive, and place someone in a negative light. It can also be something that’s only peripherally related to actual work issues. And finally, it’s likely to be something that isn’t really someone else’s to share.

The thing that makes gossip a good indicator of trouble is that it stands at the intersection of two kinds of worrisome dysfunction. It’s a confluence of broken relationships and fearful communication that shows up in most toxic cultures.

Keep an eye out for gossip. Even a little bit is a warning sign. And abstain, not only from spreading it, but from receiving it. Remember, if they’re gossiping with you about someone else, they’re probably gossiping about you with someone else.