Defining Gossip

Name: Defining Gossip
Author: KnowledgeCity

Learn what gossip is

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Course: On-Demand

Simply put, gossip involves talking about someone when they're not present. You're probably thinking, my co-workers do this all the time, and you're partially right about that. In many cases, co-workers will discuss other co-workers when they are not around. About 80% of non-work-related conversations are gossip. On average, employees spend 52 minutes per day gossiping. It's part of human nature to gossip. Does that mean people who gossip are bad people? No, of course not. Gossip can be good. Neutral, prosocial, or bad. Although the bad gossip is the one that tends to get shared around the workplace. This is the type of gossip that causes harm to other individuals. Research conducted by the University of California, Riverside, found that three-quarters of the conversations from the sample study were neutral. Some researchers view gossip as cultural learning. Individuals learn the consequences of actions when they hear about the backlash and criticism someone else received for that same action. But before we explore the types of gossip, we need to establish the parties involved in gossip. There are three parties. The gossiper, the person spreading the gossip, the recipient, the individual or individuals who are listening to the gossip, and the subject. This is who the gossiper and recipient are gossiping about. The subject may have no idea they are involved in gossip. How can you tell if someone engages in negative gossip that creates a toxic workplace? The gossiper may share all or some of these characteristics. They are immature. They embellish stories. They are envious of other people. They are insecure. And they look for ways to manipulate you. Now that we know who the participants are, we need to differentiate between rumors and gossip. You may think gossip and rumors are the same, and they are similar, but there is a difference. As we know, gossip involves talking about someone when they are not present. Rumors, meanwhile, involve spreading information that may or may not be true. A rumor can be gossip at the same time. If you start discussing a coworker who may be getting a raise, it is both gossip and a rumor. It involves unverified information and is about a specific individual who is not part of the conversation. Now, if you were having a conversation about the organization giving everyone raises and you don't know whether that's going to happen, that would be a rumor. The information is unverified but does not involve discussing a specific person. When it comes to gossip, keep the sane in mind. Those who gossip to you will gossip about you. You want to avoid encouraging gossip when interacting with your coworkers. If you need to vent your frustrations about work or a colleague, it is best to do this at home with a friend, family member, or significant other. This will prevent negative comments in the workplace from spreading unexpectedly. Expressing frustration should be focused on how you are feeling and ultimately on finding a solution to the situation. It should not be focused on another person and what they are doing.

Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 8 Lessons · 20m in Arabic, English

Course Description

Everyone gossips. It's a simple fact of life. This course will help you understand what gossip is and how to tell if you are participating in gossip. You will learn the effects gossip can have on individuals and organizations as well as why people may gossip.

What You'll Learn

Define what gossip is and recognize when you are participating in it
Distinguish between positive and negative gossip
Differentiate the intent of gossip from its impact
Identify common gossip myths
Explain why people gossip
Assess the effects gossip can have on individuals and organizations

Key Takeaways

Gossip is a common part of life that everyone takes part in.
Gossip can be either positive or negative, and there is a difference between the intent behind gossip and its actual impact.
There are recognizable signs that can help you tell whether you are gossiping.
Gossip can affect both individuals and organizations, and people gossip for a variety of reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

This course helps you understand what gossip is, how to tell if you are participating in gossip, the effects gossip can have on individuals and organizations, and why people may gossip.

Who is this course for?

It is suited to anyone wanting to understand gossip, since everyone gossips, with a focus on skills such as people management, conflict management, reputation management, social influences, and workplace relationships.

What topics are included in the lessons?

Lessons cover Defining Gossip, Positive and Negative Gossip, Intent vs. Impact, Gossip Myths, Why People Gossip, How to Tell if You are Gossiping, Effects of Gossip, and a Test Your Knowledge section.

What skills does this course help develop?

The course supports skills in people management, conflict management, reputation management, social influences, and workplace relationships.