05.09.13 The 11th Leadership Practice for Managing Negative Gossip : Conduct Relevant Training Programs

Conduct Relevant Training Programs

As explained in the beginning of this book, my research indicated ‘negative gossip’ as a key dissatisfier amongst employees, irrespective of rank and status. Strange as it may sound, negative gossip is a key trigger of personal dissatisfaction and hence poor performance at work, home, church and in the community. Therefore, negative gossip is one of those habits that may require training to prevent team members from indulging in it; as well as assisting those who are already addicted so that they break the vice.

Being the eldest, I assume that Miriam carried the responsibility of providing some form of informal training oriented towards nurturing Aaron to display empathy for his baby brother Moses rather than gossiping behind his (Moses) back.

In the case of our JuaLink story, training could have helped in addressing the company’s negative gossip culture’. For instance, had Lulu’s God-fearing and prayerful followers been trained to identify the words and actions that constitute negative gossip, maybe they would never have followed Lulu’s leading. Training Faraja on how supervisors should respond to bad rumours would have helped her to react more professionally after hearing the ‘abortions-gossip’. Another example is that of Yubu, the board chairman. If he had been trained in ‘good governance’, his reaction to Obed’s rumours would have guided the board members on the right path. Lastly, had the workforce been trained in effective communication, team members would have been bold enough to react to the ‘downsizing gossip’ by seeking the truth from management rather than exiting the Agency or folding arms in despair.

Supervisors have a key role to play in planning, implementing and evaluating ‘gossip management’ training programs so that members get the necessary help and support.

As a supervisor, if your organisation has a ‘negative gossip’ problem, ‘mindset change’ training is a ‘must’ as it will communicate ‘the downside that would confront those who participate in the vice, among other things. A conventional program includes topics on effective communication, emotional intelligence, active listening, assertiveness and other relevant content on acceptable moral values.