Episode 183: The Gossip Trap— One Leadership Habit That Quietly Destroys Trust

Published: March 11, 2026

Episode Description

Gossip may seem like a minor workplace habit, but the research tells a very different story.

In this episode of The 90th Percentile, BreAnne and Joe Folkman explore new data from Zenger Folkman’s 360-degree leadership assessments revealing how destructive comments about others can quietly undermine a leader’s effectiveness. Based on feedback from hundreds of leaders and thousands of raters, the findings show that leaders who engage in negative gossip are perceived as significantly less effective across nearly every leadership competency.

Joe explains why leaders fall into the gossip trap, the hidden ways it erodes trust and psychological safety, and how this behavior spreads through organizations. More importantly, the research reveals that when leaders become aware of this pattern and change it, their effectiveness can improve dramatically.

For HR, Talent Development, and Learning leaders, this conversation highlights the powerful role feedback and leadership development play in shaping healthy cultures. When leaders commit to speaking about others with integrity—and addressing issues directly rather than through back channels—they build the trust, collaboration, and influence that define truly extraordinary leadership.

Key Learnings

1. Leadership gossip is not harmless—it’s a career-limiting behavior.
Zenger Folkman’s research shows that leaders who engage in destructive comments about others are viewed as less effective in 29 of 31 leadership behaviors measured in 360-degree feedback assessments.

2. Gossip erodes trust and psychological safety.
When leaders criticize others behind their backs, team members become guarded and hesitant to speak openly—damaging collaboration, innovation, and honest communication.

3. The impact extends far beyond the individuals involved.
Destructive comments create ripple effects across organizations, contributing to toxic culture, decreased collaboration, wasted energy, and higher turnover among top performers.

4. Small behavior changes can produce dramatic leadership gains.
Leaders who improved their behavior around discouraging destructive comments saw their overall leadership effectiveness rise dramatically—from the 29th percentile to the 78th percentile in the study.

5. Awareness and feedback are powerful catalysts for change.
360-degree feedback can help leaders recognize behaviors they may not realize they exhibit. When leaders commit to addressing issues directly and sharing praise instead of criticism, they build stronger trust and influence.

Webinar

Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive live webinar every month, where you can meet Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman and join in a conversation about their latest research in leadership development. Find out more information and register here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:04 — 13.8MB)

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