Gossip. We have
all been guilty of indulging in a little at some point — let’s face it, at many
points for most of us. So what exactly is gossip? Well things get a little
murky because there isn’t one single gossip definition. It could be as
meaningless as remarking that a coworker stepped out for coffee or as sinister
as planting false rumours to get that coworker fired.
The fact is,
it happens all the time. A 2014 Forbes article reported, “A research team from
at the University of Amsterdam found that 90 percent of total office
conversation qualifies as gossip. Research at the Georgia Institute of
Technology concluded that gossip makes up 15 percent of office email.” That’s A
LOT!! Enjoying a little harmless dishing isn’t a big deal but malicious gossip
hurts the gossipee and makes the gossiper look pretty bad too. If
you’re ever tempted to repeat juicy secrets or start spreading rumours, these 7
ways gossip makes you unnatractive will hopefully make you think again.
1.
It Erodes Trust
If
someone trusts you with personal or private
information and you turn around and blab it to your whole office or social
circle, you can bet they will never trust you again no matter how much apologising
you do. The people you told also know you can’t be trusted with secrets and,
since you were capable of it, you’ll have a hard time trusting others not to do
it to you.
2.
It’s Hurtful
No one likes
to think people are talking about them behind their back and you never know how
your words may deeply affect someone else’s life. You’re hurting feelings and
potentially doing serious damage.
3.
It’s a Form of Bullying
Your gossip definition
may not include the word bullying but that’s exactly what it is. It
might not be so obvious among adults but if you have kids, you know how
devastated they can be over even the hint of people finding out
something embarrassing about them. If you’re using gossip to manipulate or
ostracise people, you are a bully.
4.
It’s Dehumanizing
It’s easy to
get so caught up in the drama and
attention when a crowd gathers to hear all of the lurid details, that you
forget you’re talking about a real person’s real life.
5.
You’ll Lose Others’ Respect
It’s hard to
respect someone who is untrustworthy and has a middle school mentality.
Yes, gossip is immature and, as we just stated, petty. Not great leadership
qualities.
6.
You Become a Mean Person
Remember the
middle school mentality thing? That means you are now a mean grown-up. It
wasn’t cute when you were a teen and it definitely isn’t attractive as an
adult.
7.
You Seem Insecure
Building yourself up by tearing other
people down may make you feel powerful but it sure doesn’t make you look
powerful. Eventually everyone will see that your manipulations and put-downs
are just masking your own insecurity.
I hope this helps you to be
outstanding.
One more thing before
you go......I would like you to do one important thing for me - spread the word
about this article.
That is all -
David
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