From secret group chats to office hallways, gossip can permeate your organizational culture.2019 research published in Social psychology and personality science shows that individuals spend approximately 52 minutes per day gossiping. Although often dismissed as idle talk and rumor-spreading, gossip can have a huge impact on office dynamics and relationships.
There may be an evolutionary advantage to gossiping as a means of fostering bonds. This helps spread valuable information and maintain community norms.
Not all gossip you hear has a similar purpose and can be categorized into the following types:
- positive gossip. Speaking positively about others in their absence and sharing uplifting stories constitutes positive gossip. It builds trust and strengthens social bonds.
- neutral gossip. Talking about others simply to share information is called neutral gossip. Commonplace topics are often discussed without judgment, positive or negative.
- negative gossip. Spreading rumors, criticism, or unfavorable information about others constitutes negative gossip. It damages reputations and relationships.
Surprisingly, a 2019 study found that individuals engage in more neutral gossip than positive or negative forms of gossip. However, workplace gossip is generally viewed in an unfavorable light. It is known to foster mistrust among co-workers, which can damage morale and create a hostile work environment. The general negative portrayal of gossip fails to capture the positive impact it has on our work lives.
You can use positive gossip in the workplace to reap social benefits in the following ways:
1. Use gossip competitively to your advantage
Gossip can be used competitively in the workplace. Gossip, stay ahead of the curve and receive useful resources.
2023 study published in evolution and human behavior evaluated the effects of positive and negative gossip on employee reputations and the resulting resource transfers. They found that gossip influenced individuals’ willingness to provide useful resources. The impact was greater when the gossip was directly related to the situation at hand.
For example, if you praise someone’s work under pressure, you are more likely to receive work-related benefits.
You can improve your impression of your employer by effectively communicating your opinion about the organization and highlighting positive characteristics through gossip. Presenting a positive persona by selectively participating in workplace gossip can also help improve your reputation. The study also found that having a good reputation increases the likelihood of receiving more benefits.
2. Use gossip to make connections and learn vicariously.
Gossip can have rich and diverse effects on the social world. Workplace gossip can be used as a way to increase team camaraderie. Strengthen social connections by coordinating group behavior and increasing cooperation.
Research shows that gossip allows people to influence each other, form similar opinions, and build strong social bonds. It also fosters cooperation between groups without the need for formal intervention.
Gossip can also be used as an alternative learning driver. This study found that gossip facilitates learning from others when direct observation is not possible. Apart from the benefits of avoiding standard training sessions, workplace gossip also ensures that you learn from other people’s mistakes and may result in a smoother learning curve.
3. Use gossip to increase satisfaction and power
Gossip is a multifaceted human behavior that can be used to effectively improve one’s status in the workplace. You can use gossip to speak positively about your organization and gain social benefits.
A 2023 study found that positive workplace gossip increases employee power within an organization. People consider positive gossip to be more valuable because it can be used to maintain and enhance an organization’s success.
For example, you might demonstrate deep knowledge of your team’s work dynamics through office gossip in the break room, and as a result, be chosen to lead your next project.
Additionally, positive workplace gossip was found to contribute to increased job satisfaction and reduced job anxiety. Gossip also strengthened employees’ organizational identity. After participating in a fruitful and informative gossip session, a person may feel secure and satisfied with his or her position.
Treating gossip as baseless nonsense is a waste of high-potential workplace conversation. It can act as a source of social power and improve the work environment. Intentionally engaging in positive workplace gossip can help you develop a positive social standing within your organization.
Do you tend to gossip at work, for better or for worse? Take this test to find out: Workplace Gossip Positive Scale
