Managing Informal Communication: Rumors, Leaks, and Gossip
Learning objectives
- Explain how informal communication operates in the workplace and why employees rely on it alongside formal communication channels.
- Identify the risks and benefits of rumors, gossip, and information leaks, including their impact on trust, morale, and team performance.
- Apply practical strategies to address and manage informal communication issues, including when to respond, how to respond, and how to redirect conversations constructively.
- Use proactive communication - clarity, transparency, and consistency - to reduce misinformation and prevent escalation of issues.
Course overview
Rumors about a reorganization, venting after a missed deadline, and gossip about a coworker each call for a different response from a team leader. Frontline managers and team leaders learn to distinguish venting, gossip, rumors, and leaks, read what each one reveals about trust and morale, and respond in the moment. By engaging in consistent, transparent communication, teams can close information gaps and lower the risks that gossip and rumors bring.
The individuals involved in the development and promotion of this course do not receive any compensation or financial benefits outside of their regular employment for their work on this course.
- 9 minutes
- Format: Video
- Tier: 1
- Course ID: 7912
English, Spanish, French Canadian, Portuguese, Thai, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese
Course Outline
- How Informal Communication Works
- Reading the Room
- Understanding Venting, Gossip, Rumors, and Leaks
- How To Respond