5 Ways to Transform Work Gossip Into Positive Communication

Redirecting the very traits that make gossip so enticing can help build trust among team members and foster productive, meaningful relationships.

Work gossip: We’ve all heard it, and some of us have spread it -- whether that action took place around the water cooler, via text or through email.

There are mixed views  about gossip: Some say that gossip is toxic, and I tend to agree. Others, such as Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst, actively encourage it.

But at my company, our definition of gossip is clear: “unproductive communication with someone who cannot help solve the problem at hand.” In short, this kind of talk pollutes a work environment.

Personally, I believe humans' tendency to gossip can be transformed into better communication all around. Here are some intentional steps leaders can take to flip office chattiness on its head and model the behavior they want their employees to emulate. Read more 

Aviva Wolmer - Entrepreneur - 7 Apr 2017