No Gossip Policy
A no gossip policy sounds like a good idea in theory.
But beware – it’s not easily defined in a program or a company.
While speaking ill of others is largely unproductive…
We’d be lying to ourselves if we said that we never talked about our peers or team with our spouses late at night, before falling asleep. Be honest.
I was in a network marketing company many years ago, and my upline coaches admitted they did this very thing – they discussed everyone on their team and how they were doing before going to bed. To be fair, they did warn us that they were doing this.
Is that gossip?
I’m not here to tell you one way or another.
What I’m suggesting is there needs to be a standard that can realistically be upheld.
There comes a time when it is necessary to talk about others, not in a demeaning or hateful way. Some things do need to be addressed privately, even if only to determine the next course of action. If we were honest with ourselves, we’d see that we talk about others all the time.
I’m not advocating for chaos, making fun of others, or the spreading of “need to know” information. Never.
I’m cautioning you. If you have a no gossip policy, look closely at what it entails. Make it clear when someone is crossing a line and clarify what actions will be taken. And be realistic about what and what cannot be enforced.
