Why Gossiping Works
That J. and S. were flirting at the staff party. That the intern wears barely anything on Instagram. That N. applied elsewhere and P. earns a lot more. Whether it’s about office romances or salary drama: we all eagerly participate in gossip. And even though gossiping has a bad reputation, it can actually be a valuable addition to your company culture. How so?
First things first. Before we shine a light on the positive side of gossiping, a quick side note: gossip isn’t always constructive. Anyone who deliberately spreads lies or malicious rumors does more harm than good. This kind of gossip often turns into bullying and should be nipped in the bud—by confronting, discussing, and if necessary, parting ways.
The excuse: gossiping is in our nature
But… “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about,” if we may believe Oscar Wilde. Gossip is inherently human.
Traditional management wisdom may claim that gossip is destructive to a healthy organizational culture… but anthropological research shows that informally sharing information serves an important social function.
“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
(Oscar Wilde)
Fact 1: It reveals something about your company culture
A colleague shows up in shorts and Tevas or doesn’t sit down at their desk until 9:30? These kinds of gossip illustrate what behavior is accepted within an organization. They’re the “unwritten rules”—very useful for new employees!
Are you deviating from your team’s norms? Do you exhibit what’s seen as “antisocial” behavior? Then gossip serves as a warning system. Thanks to these alarm signals, colleagues learn whom they can or cannot trust.
Gossip illustrates the unwritten rules: useful for new employees!
Fact 2: Gossip builds bonds
Sharing harmless personal tidbits also strengthens social bonds between coworkers. It creates a sense of safety and lays the foundation for trust. The result? Better collaboration and engagement—both with each other and with the company.
Charlotte De Backer, gossip expert and professor at the University of Antwerp: “People enjoy being validated in their feelings. It makes them realize they’re not alone and that they’re part of a group. For example, if you dislike a colleague, it feels good to see others share that feeling. It creates a sense of connection, even with people you don’t know very well.”
“People enjoy being validated in their feelings.
They realize they’re not alone and part of a group.”
(Charlotte De Backer, University of Antwerp)
Fact 3: It keeps you in touch with what’s going on
Informal communication reveals in real time what people are feeling, thinking, and what’s simmering under the surface in an organization. It brings tensions, dissatisfaction with policies, or dormant conflicts to light faster than formal feedback channels.
If you listen as a manager, you can pick up on these signals early. You keep a finger on the pulse of the organization. Topics that often come up in gossip might be blind spots—areas where your company is falling short. In other words, a gossip is often the symptom of a deeper problem.
Topics that are often gossiped about are sometimes blind spots.
Fact 4: Gossiping provides relief
Every workplace has tensions. Want to suppress them by punishing every form of gossip? That often backfires. Every organization needs a space to let off steam—within certain limits. If your people feel heard, you can prevent larger conflicts.
Through gossip, you’re essentially issuing warnings—about colleagues who might be less trustworthy. For employees who value the group’s interests, a harmless gossip session can be a much-needed emotional release.
Where formal communication fails, gossip can quickly spread the right message. It can foster cross-team exchange, and may even make coworkers less selfish and more generous. In short: gossiping proves its usefulness and can be a valuable source of insight in the workplace. Is there a little gossip queen or king inside you? Let them loose!
Listen Tip:
Weten waarom we zo graag roddelen?
Professor Charlotte De Backer explains it in this podcast.
Sources:
- www.peoplemanagingpeople.com; ‘Whispers with Benefits: 7 Reasons to Embrace Office gossip’
Text: Tine Sinnaeve
