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Discourage Eavesdropping

In the realm of office gossips, eavesdroppers are some of the most determined and most crafty. They gather information through stealthy means to put their coworkers in the worst light. They will use it to get a leg up on a rival for a promotion. They plant the seeds of doubt about the person’s abilities. As British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell said, “No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.”

The eavesdroppers’ modus operandi is to position themselves near a conversation and tune in as if they are on a reconnaissance mission. In a way they are. Be careful not to help the eavesdropper along. Beware of other people around you when you are discussing sensitive matters with another colleague. If you have to make a call regarding sensitive personal matters, moderate your voice. If an eavesdropper with keen hearing picks up on something in your conversation and later quizzes you about it, tell them that the matter was private and that you hope he or she will respect it as such.

The best way to handle eavesdroppers is to make sure they don’t hear any private information about you in the first place. So, if you reside in a cubicle, borrow a manager’s office for sensitive phone calls. If that isn’t possible, make the call before office hours or afterward, when few to no people are around.