by Debra Wheatman
Perhaps you learned of gossip about you inadvertently in a common area or perhaps in an email that went viral. Most of the time, gossip circulates through the workplace. The target hears about it eventually. Gossip can jeopardize your professional brand. You must be thoughtful about your subsequent action and reaction because your reputation is at stake.
Assess the Gossip
Often, gossip is based on misunderstandings that are shared from one person to another. It can be easy to misunderstand what you hear, so make sure you get the facts straight before you do anything. Next, determine if the gossip is harmful or idle chatter. Serious, harmful gossip should be addressed if it could potentially damage your professional brand. Also, try to determine the source and consider the intentions of that person.
Proactively Address the Issue
Privately address the source of the gossip. You may say, "I heard what you said. Because we work together, I think it's best for us to talk about it. I am not upset or judging your criticism. I simply want to hear your concerns so we can move forward." Accept the information that you gain as constructive feedback. Correct misinformation. If the gossip is more malicious in nature, you may need to involve Human Resources to help resolve the matter.
Let it Go or Ignore the Gossip
If you pretend you did not hear the conversation, you may feel uncomfortable around the person who spoke ill of you. If you rarely interact with this person, ignoring the issue may be the right course of action. Secondly, if this person never has a kind word to say about anyone, it is probably best to ignore what you hear because that person's words are likely not harmful. Lastly, if the gossip is petty (such as "Can you believe those shoes?"), let it go. In those situations, it is better to take the high road.
What Not to Do
There are some things that you should never do when you have been the target of gossip.
Whether you decide to address the situation or to ignore it, make your choice thoughtfully. Carefully attend to your brand by tending to your career, genuinely supporting others, and being a positive force in the workplace.
Build relationships with other positive people in your work environment. Be a role model by not partaking in or initiating gossip. It does not have to be a brand burner if you follow the above tips.
About the Author:
Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and owner of Careers Done Write, a professional branding and marketing company. Debra's company provides full-service career consulting and writing services to help clients stand out in a hyper-competitive environment to secure interviews and, ultimately, offers of full-time employment. She may be reached directly via her site at careersdonewrite.com. Follow Debra's social media Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.