Tread Carefully When You Work for a Gossipy Boss

May 16, 2017

Tread Carefully When You Work for a Gossipy Boss

It’s awkward when your boss divulges information they shouldn’t, or gossips about people in other departments. Instead of playing along, steer the conversation toward neutral ground. For example, if your boss complains to you about a colleague’s sour mood, you could say, “It’s a busy time of year. I have a lot of client demands, and the added pressures are stressful.” You can also reframe the comment. If your boss criticizes a colleague for being late to work several times in the past month, you could respond with, “I’ve noticed that too, but I have a different interpretation. That person has a really tough commute, and the fact that they manage to get here on time most days shows me that they are committed.” Most important, remember that your manager isn’t superhuman. We all slip up from time to time, so cut your boss some slack.

Adapted from “How to Work for a Gossipy Boss,” by Rebecca Knight