I am not sure to whom the quote “If you’re not coaching it, you’re allowing it to happen” should be attributed. Many attribute it to Red Auerbach of the NBA’s Boston Celtics. I have heard those words come from other more contemporary but still legendary coaches like Nick Saban and the late Mike Leach.

The quote is understandable for a sports team, but how does it apply to today’s business?

While gossip might seem like harmless water cooler chatter, it can actually be a silent saboteur - a cancer - lurking beneath the surface of your workplace, undermining trust and productivity and ultimately harming your business. Constant whining, gossip, and negativity, whether from a single employee or from many, breeds a toxic environment where employees become disengaged, less productive, and potentially emotionally and professionally damaged.