Good Gossip?

Joe Wynne is a versatile Project Manager experienced in delivering medium-scope projects in large organizations that improve workforce performance and business processes. He has a proven track record of delivering effective, technology-savvy solutions in a variety of industries and a unique combination of strengths in both process management and workforce management.

  Communications Management   Talent Management  

Gossip. It almost makes you ill to think about it, even though you often have to deal with it. Faithful readers may recall that in 2008 I posted on my Eye on the Workforce blog a way to reduce it. Yet it turns out your understanding of gossip is important to your management of the people and groups who work in your project. Increase your understanding by considering this question and possible answers. Which statement is most true?

1. Gossip is inevitably hurtful, unproductive  and mean
2. Gossip is more harmful than not
3. Gossip is more helpful than harmful
4. Gossip, like greed, is good

First, it is true that sometimes gossip can be "hurtful, unproductive and mean" as stated in a summary of a study of the topic. But three recent studies provide some much-needed facts in this area.

• Gossip and Cooperation: It has been shown by Beersma and Van Kleef (How the Grapevine Keeps You in Line: Gossip Increases Contributions to the Group) that gossip can be "an important part of making sure that people will share and cooperate." The fact that others would find out selfish actions through the grapevine made study participants behave more altruistically.
• Gossip and Formal Business Settings: In another study by Hallett et al (Gossip at Work: Unsanctioned Evaluative Talk in Formal School Meetings), we learn that gossip can "…

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