Positive Gossip

• Roles include host [tech host] and participants.
• Minimum group size is twelve.
• Everyone is included and has an equal opportunity to contribute.

Sequence of Steps and Time Allocation

Intro: Share the structuring invitation. Explain that you will give people instructions as they go [post instructions for each round in chat before sending everyone to breakouts]. (1 min.)

First Round: Participants form pairs [breakouts]. Each takes one minute to share positive gossip about a mentor or supporter in their life. Signal [broadcast a message] when it is time to switch roles. (3 min.)

Middle Round: Participants form new pairs. Each takes one minute to share something positive about someone in the group. (3 min.)

Last Round: Participants form new pairs. Each takes one minute to share something positive about their partner. (3 min.)

All-Together Sharing: Everyone returns to plenary. A few people reflect on these questions out loud or in the chat:

• How did it feel to go through the rounds?
• What happened? What did you notice?
• So What? Does what happened make a difference?
• Now that we’ve practiced Positive Gossip, where else could we use this in our lives?
• Now What? Based on what happened and the difference it makes, what action makes sense for you now?
• What good could it bring to life?
  

In large groups it can be challenging to ensure each person gets a new partner in each round. The tech host can preset the breakout rooms after the first round.

Post prompts in the chat before each breakout. Be aware that facial expressions, body language, subtle gestures, and tone of voice make a difference in Positive Gossip interactions, and it’s easy to miss these signals online.

WHY? Purposes

• Start turning around a destructive pattern of negative gossip
• Learn, practice and have fun with a more positive behaviour
• Work toward a daily practice or habit that can help eliminate the need for reward and recognition programs
• Start shifting a climate of generalised malaise toward a culture of “things may get better around here”

Tips and Traps

• Don’t reveal prompts until pairs are formed
• Encourage exaggeration and lightheartedness, mimicking the patterns of negative gossip, as in “Did you see Nancy come to the rescue again and again!”
• Be prepared for an outpouring of emotion and laughter.
• Maintain the short time frames: 1 minute for each person in the pair
• Make the switch between sharing and listening clear with a bell
• You can do multiple rounds, depending on group size and the need to practice this new behaviour
• Make it a routine exercise in your group until a new pattern takes hold

Riff and Variations

• Invite gossip about different people who are often only the target of negative gossip
• Encourage exaggeration and embroidering (mimicking the patterns of negative gossip)
• Switch the order of questions 1 and 2

Examples

• Part of the closing of any meeting with 10 or more people present
• Part of a celebration or launch of a new activity