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(as presented by Lisa Bishop)
Setting yourself apart from the crowd is an act of courage.
Not too long ago I worked with a woman who loved to gossip. Even in casual catch-up conversations you could just tell she was itching to share some story from the workplace tabloids. I would ask her how she is doing, or, what’s new, and she would give me that look. The one where she was about to tell me something she knew she shouldn’t. You know the look. Maybe you have even given it at some point.
When a co-worker or friend is trying to suck you down a rabbit hole of dishing about another person, it takes courage to set yourself apart and not indulge. We get tempted with juicy information and it can be alluring to jump on the gossip bandwagon but resist the urge. Gossip kills cultures. Gossip undermines trust.
The thing about gossip is this: if a person is sharing information about someone that is not theirs to share, you can be certain they will turn around and do the same thing to you. And you undermine your integrity if you are the one with loose lips.
Be trustworthy. Have integrity. Set yourself apart. Don’t gossip. Gossip is after all a false sense of connection. You might think you have a close friendship with someone but is it anchored in talking about other people? If so, it is a friendship built on sinking sand.
Other ways we can set ourselves apart at work are by being honest and not telling lies or bending the truth. By avoiding talking poorly about your boss and engaging in that meeting after the meeting conversation where you tear him or her down.
Set yourself apart by refraining from boasting or taking credit for something. Instead, give someone else on your team the shout out due them, lift them up and let them shine.
First John 2:15 instructs us, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.“ Not loving the world means we do not reflect the world’s ways. And, it takes courage to go against the grain.
As a follower of Jesus, you already have been set apart. Might people look at you weird or not include you because you don’t play by their rules? Maybe. But remain humble and gracious. There will be people who see you living differently. And when they ask you why, you have an opening for a spiritual conversation. You can share how your faith in Jesus causes you to live and love like him.