Office Chatter Turned Into Entertaining Literature and Television
Workplace dynamics can be challenging and enduring, often involving politics, difficult personalities, and the artful management of relationships. Despite the substantial time spent in these professional relationships, many individuals do not have a choice in selecting their constant colleagues. Successfully navigating these connections requires a suite of communication skills, such as influence, persuasion, emotional intelligence, and gossip.
For those devoid of formal power, such as executive leadership positions, mastering Horizontal Communication and upward messaging becomes an essential skill. With no inherent power associated with such positions, employees must rely on other sources of influence. This is where gossip comes into play.
Evolutionary psychologists argue that gossip, often viewed negatively, has origins evolved to police morality within communities. By sharing information about acceptable, praised, or tolerated behavior, gossip served to define and maintain social norms. Those who violated these norms risked reputation damage, exclusion, or expulsion from the group.
The most daunting workplace dramas can also serve as a source of entertainment and humor as humans attempt to cope with the stresses of life. For instance, BBC's The Office cleverly transformed cringeworthy office politics into comedy that resonated with many viewers. In an episode titled "Gossip," Michael, feeling left out of the office rumor mill, spread rumors about Stanley having an affair. When he discovered the truth, he then spread false rumors about other coworkers to cover up the truth about Stanley. This inadvertently led to the revelation of other secrets, such as Jim and Pam's unannounced pregnancy.
In the novel "I Hope This Finds You Well" by Canadian author Natalie Sue, the protagonist gains unauthorized access to her colleagues' private emails and messages. With this information, she can eavesdrop on gossip, read illicit communications with romantic partners, and keep up with office gossip and scheming about potential job cuts. Readers are challenged to consider the protagonist's dilemma: whether to report the IT error or exploit this source of information for personal gain. This book explores the burnout and disengagement felt by millennials in dead-end jobs and depicts a slow-building, inevitable office drama that culminates in a gossip catastrophe.
While gossip can have negative repercussions, such as fostering mistrust, reducing morale, and creating a toxic environment, it can also serve positive purposes. For example, gossip can strengthen social bonds, provide warnings about potential issues, and disseminate valuable information. Ultimately, the impact of gossip on a work environment depends on its nature – whether it is constructive or harmful.
References
[1] Anderson, E., Galinsky, A. H., & Mathews, G. (2012). The Power of Gossip: How Small Talk Praises, Intrigues, and Destroys. The New York Times.
[3] Baumeister, R. F., & Exline, J. J. (2000). Does gossip have a positive side? A functional analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 4(3), 227–245.
[4] Kilduff, M. B., & Brass, D. M. (2000). Social undermining in the workplace. The Academy of Management Review, 25(3), 416–432.
[5] Pennebaker, J. W., & Seagal, C. L. (1999). Opening up: The healing power of expressing emotions. Guilford Press.
- In the realm of lifestyle, books such as "I Hope This Finds You Well" offer insights into the complexities of modern workplaces, exploring how gossip, often considered a negative phenomenon, can serve both constructive and destructive purposes.
- Transcending the workplace, gossip's impact can be felt in various aspects of life, from fashion-and-beauty magazines delving into office fashion faux pas, to entertainment news outlets dissecting the latest televised office dramas, like BBC's The Office, reflecting our shared experiences and grappling with the human dynamics of the professional world.
