Team harmony can be improved when friendships develop within the team. The downside is cliques and gossip starting to increase. The line between casual communication and destructive gossip is thin. How can you stomp out gossip without discouraging bonding among team members?
Here are 3 tips to keep team gossip to a minimum on your team:
1| Anticipate your team members information needs. Answer questions before they are asked.
2| Confront rumors. Call a meeting as soon as you get wind of a rumor. Let team members bring their questions and fears into the open.
3| Realize that the grapevine will always exist. Be satisfied with knowing what's happening within it. Be prepared to take appropriate and swift action to counteract its effects.