145. How to Deal with Gossip at Work with Prina Shah

In this episode, Prina Shah dives into the topic of office gossip—what it is, how it harms workplace culture, and most importantly, how to manage it. Prina shares two powerful quotes to frame the conversation: "Those who gossip to you, gossip about you" and "Loose lips sink ships." She highlights why gossip can be detrimental and provides a three-step framework to evaluate whether or not you should engage in a conversation that may be gossip:

1. Is it true?
2. Would you say this to the person directly?
3. Is it beneficial for you to know this information?

Prina also differentiates between gossip and debriefing, encouraging listeners to reflect on whether their workplace conversations are helpful and constructive or harmful and toxic. This episode is packed with practical insights to help you steer clear of gossip and maintain a healthier, more positive work environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Gossip erodes trust and damages workplace culture.
• Evaluate conversations using Prina’s three-step framework.
• Understand the difference between debriefing (a healthy communication practice) and gossiping.