Key Takeaways
- • A new study by researchers at the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico found that men who gossip at work are judged as less competent and less qualified for leadership roles than women who do the same.
- • The research combined three studies: observation of 272 undergraduates in five-person class project teams, plus two online experiments involving roughly 450 U.S. workers.
- • Across all three studies, gossipers received lower competence ratings, but men faced a steeper penalty than women.
- • Researchers attribute the double standard partly to gossip's historical association with women and to traditional gender expectations for men.
- • Billionaire leaders Richard Branson, Ray Dalio and Dave Ramsey have publicly opposed workplace gossip, with Ramsey stating that his company will fire employees for it.
Summary
Men who gossip around the office may be damaging their prospects for advancement, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico, as reported by Fortune. The study found that men who gossip are perceived as less competent and less qualified for leadership roles than women engaging in the same behavior. "Men when they engage in gossip, they tend to be judged a lot more harshly than women," said Trevor Spoelma, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business.
The researchers drew their conclusions from three studies: an observation of 272 undergraduate students working in five-person teams on a class project, followed by two online experiments involving roughly 450 U.S. workers. Across the studies, people who gossiped received lower competence ratings, but men were penalized more heavily than women. Spoelma said the history of the word may help explain the gap. Gossip took on a more negative connotation around the 16th century, when it became increasingly associated with women spreading rumors. When men gossip about a third party, they may be seen as violating traditional expectations of masculine behavior, whereas women's gossip may align with longstanding gender stereotypes.
The article notes that gossip is not always malicious. Negative gossip can involve questioning a colleague's abilities or criticizing their work, but it can also mean complimenting someone or sharing a harmless anecdote. Both forms can foster trust and a sense of belonging. Psychologist Scott Lyons, previously quoted by Fortune, described the sense of being "in on" something as making people feel special and mattering. This connection may be especially valuable as hybrid work reduces face-to-face collaboration and amid a broader loneliness crisis among men. Spoelma noted that men generally receive more leniency than women for norm-violating behavior, but gossip is an exception.
Several prominent business leaders have taken a firm stance against gossip. Virgin Group co-founder Richard Branson told LinkedIn in 2024, "If I ever hear anybody gossiping, I will walk away because it's just not good." Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, in a 2012 interview with the Academy of Achievement, said, "You shouldn't talk behind somebody's back or gossip," adding that discussing colleagues' shortcomings without speaking to them is unproductive. Personal finance broadcaster Dave Ramsey lists "No Gossip" among the 14 core values of Ramsey Solutions and said on his EntreLeadership show in 2024 that employees who spread negativity downward or sideways will be fired, while concerns should go to leadership.
The researchers drew their conclusions from three studies: an observation of 272 undergraduate students working in five-person teams on a class project, followed by two online experiments involving roughly 450 U.S. workers. Across the studies, people who gossiped received lower competence ratings, but men were penalized more heavily than women. Spoelma said the history of the word may help explain the gap. Gossip took on a more negative connotation around the 16th century, when it became increasingly associated with women spreading rumors. When men gossip about a third party, they may be seen as violating traditional expectations of masculine behavior, whereas women's gossip may align with longstanding gender stereotypes.
The article notes that gossip is not always malicious. Negative gossip can involve questioning a colleague's abilities or criticizing their work, but it can also mean complimenting someone or sharing a harmless anecdote. Both forms can foster trust and a sense of belonging. Psychologist Scott Lyons, previously quoted by Fortune, described the sense of being "in on" something as making people feel special and mattering. This connection may be especially valuable as hybrid work reduces face-to-face collaboration and amid a broader loneliness crisis among men. Spoelma noted that men generally receive more leniency than women for norm-violating behavior, but gossip is an exception.
Several prominent business leaders have taken a firm stance against gossip. Virgin Group co-founder Richard Branson told LinkedIn in 2024, "If I ever hear anybody gossiping, I will walk away because it's just not good." Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, in a 2012 interview with the Academy of Achievement, said, "You shouldn't talk behind somebody's back or gossip," adding that discussing colleagues' shortcomings without speaking to them is unproductive. Personal finance broadcaster Dave Ramsey lists "No Gossip" among the 14 core values of Ramsey Solutions and said on his EntreLeadership show in 2024 that employees who spread negativity downward or sideways will be fired, while concerns should go to leadership.
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