"How I deal with gossip depends on the situation. When starting a new job, I pay attention to the gossip to determine if the unit has underlying issues that need to be addressed. Once I determine the issue, I will speak with the person who is the source of the gossip and use my critical-thinking skills to develop a plan of action to resolve the issue. If the source of gossip is mean-spirited and harassing, I will quickly pull aside the people who are gossiping and ask to hear what they have to say about the situation. I will then follow my company's policies and procedures to document and report the harassment. When first starting a job in a leadership position, I like to let my team know that while I am a fair and understanding person, I will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any nature. That way, my team knows where I stand from the beginning."
