Tired of Gossip at Work?

Got some juicy news about your colleague's mistress or information about your boss' salary? Keep this personal information to yourself my friend. You are entering the "Gossip Zone." Instead of spreading these luscious morsels of jealousy, bitterness, and personal information at work, learn to be a leader and tame the gossip in you.

Gossip vs. Rumors. Is there a difference between the two?

Gossip is defined as an intimate or sensational fact revealed about a person or situation. This communication usually focuses on unverified half-truths and the salacious interpersonal lives of its subject. This sensational rant almost always begins with a topic that never directly affects the people who are discussing it.

A rumor is a testimonial or opinion that may or may not be true. If management is planning layoffs or your boss is planning to add new responsibilities to the team, this type of speculation falls under the rumor umbrella. Rumors should be addressed immediately by management. Gossip, however, should never be tolerated.

How do you stop the dangerous small talk and live relatively scandal free in the office?

Go cold turkey. Stop participating in harmful water cooler chatting.

Until there is a patch created to wean you off office innuendo, you will have to do it the old fashioned way. Isolate yourself from people who frequently participate in idle chatter. Replace the old desire to talk about your peers' personal business with workplace innovation. There will always be an abundance of news coming from the office grapevine to delight the faithful listeners, it's human nature. Focus your thoughts on new revenue producing ideas that will help your company's bottom line and give you the raise you know you deserve.

Refrain from immediately converting your coworkers into your new lifestyle.