Your Reputation as a Leader is Built By Gossip

When you think about gossip, almost every thought that comes to mind is bad. People who gossip waste everyone’s time and destroy the reputation of others. When you look up the definition of gossip, the English Oxford Dictionary tells you that gossip is, “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed as true.” If you check in with Merriam-Webster, they describe a gossip as, “a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others.” I believe both of these definitions are accurate. My whole career, anytime I have ever referenced someone who gossiped, it was a negative or bad example. People who gossip usually are referenced as people who stir the pot and waste other people’s time. Almost always, someone who is referred to as a gossiper is someone who is described as a negative person who is spreading dirt about someone else.

What I never considered early in my career is that either positive or negative, every leader’s career is built upon gossip. What do people say about you as a leader when you are not in their presence? Gossip is a GREAT leadership tool in building your reputation. The big question for you to ask yourself is, “when people talk about me as a leader, what are they gossiping about?”

Here are 10 questions to ask yourself to help build a positive reputation as a leader.

Would my team members talk about:

1. How I listen to their concerns and act on their feedback?
2. How they work with me or for me?
3. How I make the right decisions, even in very difficult situations?
4. How I am fair to everyone?
5. How I am focused on helping them grow and develop their careers?
6. How I tell others about examples where I have cared for them or other members of our team?
7. My positive vision for our department and organization?
8. My strong work ethic and ability to get things done?
9. How I supported them, even when it cost me something to support them?
10. How they felt valued and appreciated for their contributions to our team’s success?

My wife, Kathleen, and I seldom talk about work. We are polar opposites and that has made for a good marriage. But at least ten times in the last few years, Kathleen has talked about how supported she feels by her boss and boss’s boss. As a leader, the only time you gain points for being supportive is when it costs you something to be supportive. So many times on a difficult day, I have asked Kathleen, “why don’t you just resign? There are so many other ways you can spend your time and share your gifts with this world.” Each time, Kathleen has talked about her need to carry out the mission and vision of her work, which are in direct alignment with her manager and the leadership team. Each time Kathleen tells me, “I feel so supported,” that is gossip and gossip, whether it is good or bad, builds leadership reputations.

So here is my question and action for your to think about this week. What are people gossiping about YOU as a leader?