Let’s face it: The work place, and particularly salons, can be breeding grounds for gossip. The rumor mill can lead to more than hurt feelings. Sometimes it turns toxic, pitting one staff member against another as the negative talk spirals out of control.
When clients overhear the sniping, they may be left with a negative feeling, making them reluctant to return. The best approach is to nip negative talk in the bud before it gets out of hand. Take a peek at these seven tips to ensure a more positive work environment for both staff and clients.
- Redirect the conversation: If you detect that small talk has taken on the aura of a teen sleepover, simply switch the topic. Pose innocuous questions to engage the client or coworker. Did she catch last night’s episode of ‘The Bachelor’? Has she read any new books? A simple change in conversation can go a long way toward stemming negative talk.
- Avoid controversy: Steer clear of triggering contentious debates over religion and politics. Instead, make the conversation pleasant and entertaining. ‘Who are your favorite celebs?’ Keep it lighthearted and fun.
Motivate yourself: Put simply, time spent gossiping proves costly. Focus on a client’s needs. Spend your relationship capital educating that client on what services would give her a boost in appearance and aplomb. That approach is much preferred to nattering away about who’s dating whom.- Get creative: Some find gossiping a welcome relief from the monotony of a long day, but the urge to gossip may be symptomatic of a larger issue. Boredom can be an indicator of just how much you are or are not invested in your career. The antidote is simple: Recharge your career by focusing on the joys and rewards of your work.
- Find new inspiration: Take a continuing education class to learn some new skills and mix things up.
- Sample a new nail application: Focus on a novel nail polish design and share your newly acquired acumen with a client.
- Turn a new leaf: Next time you find yourself wanting to spill a juicy detail, show some restraint. Yes, it’s possible to not look like an old fuddyduddy in the process.
Remember, the benefit of reining in that gossip outweighs the short-term frustration of biting that backbiting tongue!