Did you hear about … how damaging gossip can be
“You will never believe what I just heard about Jane. …”
How does a phrase like this grab our attention and pull us in so quickly? Even if we think we’re above all that, it can be difficult to resist hearing a story likely to be a lot more interesting than what we’re doing at the moment.
Gossip has been part of how we’ve shared information for centuries. We use it to gather interest or support our point of view – and occasionally as a means of gaining attention (I know something you don’t know – or aren’t supposed to know).
This type of communication can spark strong opinions, reveal insights into office culture and shine a spotlight on how inclusive a group really is.