31. By asking questions, you will be seen as someone interested in expanding his/her professional development? This in turn could lead to being selected for future projects, on diverse teams from across the organization. Which could lead to further career growth opportunities for YOU!! So….Any Questions ;)
Notes de l'éditeur
Why do people Gossip?
It is probably the major form of communication in any business, social or family setting. Gossip can be pretty destructive and counterproductive especially when it is about you. For the person who is carrying the information, he or she may feel as though it is a civic duty to share their knowledge with anyone who will listen. It also seems to be necessary to embellish it a little, in the event that the topic of gossip isn’t juicy enough. You probably heard about the office gossip who said “…that is all that I can tell you…, I have already told you more than I heard myself.”
We have been told that knowledge is power. So, the person who seems to have a lot of knowledge may be perceived, or perceive him or herself as “in the Know” and therefore powerful. In fact, often that is not the case.
Sometimes even when our friends are accused of wrongdoing or gossip is started about them, we disloyally accept and repeat what we hear without knowing all the facts. It is sad indeed that sometimes friendships are destroyed and enmity created on the basis of misinformation.
Gossip is the worst form of judging. The tongue is the most dangerous, destructive, and deadly weapon available to man. A vicious tongue can ruin the reputation and even the future of the one attacked. Insidious attacks against one’s reputation, loathsome innuendoes, half-lies about an individual are as deadly as those insect parasites that kill the heart and life of a mighty oak. They are so stealthy and cowardly that one cannot guard against them. As someone has said, “It is easier to dodge an elephant than a microbe.”
Now, what do we do about the office gossip? Gossip requires a talker and a listener. If no one listens then he or she can’t gossip. It’s up to each individual to make the choice to participate, or not, in this past time. In breaking free of the practice of gossiping, we could apply the Rotary Club’s four-way test.