Every Monday Blogging4Jobs invites our resident Etiquette Expert, CareySue Vega (@Etiquette101), to share tips when it comes ot etiquette in the workplace during our own Manner Monday segment.
Manner Monday: Gossip
Gossip… no matter how hard we try to steer clear of it, it unfortunately rears its ugly head at some point.
Engaging in gossip is one of the fastest ways to kill a career. When faced with the ‘opportunity’ to gossip, or not to gossip: there is no question. It’s simple: Don’t gossip. Nothing good will ever come of it. When tempted to engage in revealing personal or sensational facts about another, or spreading rumors of an intimate nature, ask yourself:
- Is it true?
- Is it kind?
- Is it necessary?
- Is it my story to tell?
If someone is trying to get you to gossip… simply state, “It’s not my story to tell” and change the subject. And keep in mind… one who gossips to you, will more than likely gossip of you.
Recently I was placed in a precarious situation by someone asking, “why didn’t you tell me about so and so…?” I politely responded with “it’s not my story to tell” and moved on to another subject. This situation brought to mind the amazing Eleanor Roosevelt and a quote of hers, which is an all-time favorite of mine: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
“Who” or “What” are you discussing these days?
