Rumor Control

Building trust during a period of transition is a tough job. No matter how positive a spin you put on it, people are suspicious because change generates confusion and raises their level of distrust. Rumors run rampant. Even when you tell the truth about what's going on, people still rely on the juicy tidbits they pick up through gossip.

Now, it's human nature to ruminate and speculate about other people and how the pending change will affect their lives. Everyone's strengths, weaknesses, hot buttons, and personal problems quickly become grist for the rumor mill.

Here's an illustration of just how harmful rumors can be. A foreign-born research scientist who had just accepted a position in a testing laboratory resigned when he heard a rumor that his predecessor had been "canned" because of he "talked funny." His coworkers jokingly told him if he didn't speak English properly he'd be "canned" too.

When someone explained what being "canned" meant, he chose to resign rather than face the disgrace of being fired. He was one of a string of highly sort after scientists who had resigned shortly after being hired because of rumors that speaking accented English would get them fired.

Gaining Control Of Rumors

The idiots in this organization took great delight in spreading gossip and rumors even when they had proof that people suffered as a result. Somehow it gave them a sense of power. Truly, the inmates were running this asylum.

It's true; everyone loves a juicy piece of news. Even if you don't want to believe it, you still want to hear it. The rumor mill usually carries harmless or amusing commentary. Unfortunately, some idiots get a kick out of passing on unfounded rumors or false stories just to get attention. These bozos don't seem to realize that their mean-spirited game playing can harm innocent people. When this happens, reputations are damaged, credibility is lost, and morale suffers.

Perhaps the rumors where you work aren't that rough on people. Here are a few suggestions just in case the rumor mill starts grinding out false information:

• Don't wait until you have all the details-just get the truth, as you understand it, out there. Unless you are bound by some legal restriction, when you get wind of a rumor tell your people everything you know about the facts of the matter. If some of what you say turns out to be inaccurate, then retell it the right way as soon as you get a chance. You may have to do this several times before a rumor dies.
  
• Pick out those who are trustworthy among your staff and talk to them personally. Tell them you want to know the truth about what they're hearing. Ask them not to embellish upon what they tell you. Let them know that if you find out they've twisted the story even a little bit, you won't rely on them again.
  
• Keep your feelings to yourself. Avoid comments about the wisdom of what's happening. Report only the facts you know first hand. Listen to individual opinions thoughtfully without comment. This may sound harsh, but people don't care what you think, nor do they want your opinion. They just want to know what you know.
  When challenged, the folks who complain the loudest about "being left out of the loop" tell me that even if you were to hold more meetings, send more memos, or gave out more information, they'd still rely on the bit and pieces they string together from unofficial sources.
  

Regardless of how well you communicate; inaccurate information will still wend its way among subordinates and throughout the entire organization. Misinformation can be hurtful to sensitive people, detrimental to the spirit of teamwork, and waste time, energy and other precious resources.

People take in information in three ways: they see it, hear it, or feel it. Regardless of how information reaches them, most people form a mental image of a situation based on what they hear or feel. For these reasons it's important to minimize the negative impact of gossip and rumors by putting your vision out there so the troops can "see" what you mean. Whoever said, "A picture is worth a thousand words," understood this process very well. Once you've gained their confidence it's time to provide a regular place and time for them to get together to discuss their differences and examine their expectations in a supportive environment. Actions such of these will keep rumors from getting out of control.