Dinah YoungProject Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William CountySpringfield, Va, United States
In an office gossip can cause a lot of damage. When we think of gossip, we often think of it occurring amongst the regular employee. But it also occurs in management. I think the main cause of gossip is lack of information. If the proper information is not being shared, gossip will fill in the blanks. If management says there are going to be changes in the organization but gives no details, guess what will happen, gossip will try to fill in the blanks. I have also seen management spread unsubstantiated information about their employees.
What do you think causes gossip to run rampant and how can it be controlled? Saving Changes...
The thing with the grapevine is that it is a very powerful communication channel. It is seen as peer-supported and independent (and, therefore, as carrying an uncensored message).
Clamping down on it may help in the short term, but in the long run such an exercise is simultaneously damaging and futile.
The best approach is to adopt this channel in the communication framework. To understand entry points and to massage messages through to bolster official communication. To be a patient vent to listen to and to dispel any incorrect information.
Marvin Gaye never sang about 'hearing things from the email' or 'hearing things on the phone'. Tame the grapevine but I wouldn't recommend trying to burn it down. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Gossiping is indeed something that may cause harm to the project, specially if it is triggered by Senior Management, Project Sponsor or the board. It is essential that the PM, or PgM, communicates to the team that all official communication will be delivered as stated in the communication plan. Saving Changes...
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