The Antidote to Office Gossip
Rude Awakenings
Researchers have found that the vast majority of all conversations qualify as gossip. What’s more is that nearly 15 percent of all work emails can be categorized as such.
Like a virus, well-placed morsels of fact and innuendo wreak havoc on even the best organizations by destroying relationships, permanently damaging reputations, and contaminating cooperation.
What’s more is that the costs associated with these negative acts are significant. In fact, according to Chistine Porath, leaders and managers will spend about eight full weeks of time each year just mending employee relationships.
Think about that for a second.
Almost 15 percent of a manager’s time is spent dealing with the fallout of gossip and the hard feelings that ensue.
So what’s a leader to do?
The Power of Running the Table
One of the most effective strategies for helping to manage gossip in the workplace — and preventing the “meeting after the meeting” — is a technique known as running the table.
Here’s how it works:
At the end of every meeting, the leader sets aside a few minutes to check in with all of the meeting’s participants by literally “running the table.” This allows each and every person the opportunity to share their thoughts, recommendations, and reactions to what’s just transpired during the group’s time together.
Once everyone has had their opportunity to share, the leader ends with three very important words, “Are we good?”
These three words are powerful, powerful, powerful.
By asking, “Are we good?” the leader is giving everyone the opportunity to safely and constructively air their concerns and vent their frustrations inside the group while everyone is still together.
By welcoming feedback within the meeting, scores of leaders have discovered that this technique prevents a lot of private sniping and gossiping—which can cause a ton of headaches down the road.
Make it a Habit
Remember, this technique only works if you use it. And, to create a sense of safety and predictability, it needs to be done every time you bring a meeting to a close.
If you make a commitment to implementing this simple technique, not only will your outcomes be better, but your interactions will become more functional, and your people will grow stronger and closer than ever before.