Positive Gossip at Work: An Overlooked Tool for Building Trust and Morale

Positive Gossip at Work: An Overlooked Tool for Building Trust and Morale

In most workplaces, the word “gossip” tends to carry negative connotations. It is often associated with office politics, idle chatter or conversations that undermine trust. However, a growing body of research suggests that not all gossip is harmful. In fact, when used intentionally and positively, it can serve as a quiet but powerful tool for strengthening teams and improving workplace culture.

This more constructive form of gossip is sometimes referred to as “positive gossip.” It involves sharing praise, appreciation or recognition about someone when they are not present. It might take the form of a manager casually telling a colleague how impressed they were with another team member’s presentation. Or someone passing along a story about how a junior employee stayed late to help a client. These small acts of acknowledgement may seem informal, but their impact is far from insignificant.

A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that hearing others speak positively about you, even indirectly, increases motivation, trust and feelings of belonging within a team. While most organisations have formal systems in place to recognise good work, such as performance reviews or employee awards, these tend to be structured and infrequent. Positive gossip, on the other hand, happens organically. It creates a more immediate sense of appreciation and encourages behaviours that align with shared values.

What makes positive gossip particularly effective is its subtlety. The person being praised is not directly involved, which means the message often carries more weight. It does not feel performative or forced. When people discover that others have been speaking well of them behind their backs, it reinforces the idea that their contributions are noticed and valued, even when they are not seeking credit.

This type of communication also has a ripple effect. It encourages a more generous mindset across the organisation. When team members make a habit of sharing what others are doing well, it shifts the focus away from problems or personal frustrations and towards appreciation and collaboration. Over time, this contributes to a more positive and trusting work environment.

For leaders, the opportunity here is clear. Encouraging positive gossip can be as simple as modelling the behaviour yourself. Share a piece of good news about a team member with someone else. Acknowledge contributions informally during conversations. Mention someone’s helpfulness or creativity in passing. While these moments may feel small, they help to build a culture where recognition is not limited to annual reviews or public praise.

Importantly, positive gossip is not about flattery or exaggeration. It should always be genuine and grounded in real behaviour. The goal is to build a culture of trust and shared respect, not competition or superficial praise.

Organisations that wish to benefit from this practice may also consider building it into existing communication rhythms. For example, team meetings can include a short segment where individuals are invited to share something they appreciated about a colleague’s recent actions. Managers can quietly pass along positive feedback they have heard. Over time, these habits become embedded in the culture.

In conclusion, while gossip is often viewed as something to avoid, not all gossip is created equal. Positive gossip, when used intentionally, can strengthen relationships, reinforce shared values and boost morale. In a time when connection and engagement are more important than ever, this small shift in how we talk about one another could make a lasting difference.