Gossip and Transknitting
The word gossip carries a negative connotation, yet we all do it. We share good and bad news about someone who’s not in the room, and we do it for a couple of reasons. First of all, information is power. By being the one to share a juicy tidbit, you demonstrate that you’re in the know. That can make you feel powerful and well-liked.
Another reason is “gossip” is a form of bonding. In Anne Litwin’s book New Rules For Women At Work” she calls this kind of sharing “transknitting” — transmitting information to deepen your relationship with the person you’re talking to.
It’s true, sometimes information sharing is used detrimentally. But, it can also be used constructively. To be emotionally intelligent in your use of gossip, use it to “transknit” Transknitting helps us build and strengthen interpersonal bonds.
