Silence is Golden

February 10th, 2017 at 6:21 pm

We cannot tell you how many people have lost their job because they talked too much. They want to spread all their personal information or they got caught up on the gossip train with other staff at the household or they got too friendly with the employer and said some things that could be deemed inappropriate. Gossiping with other staff will hurt the whole team. No one wants to feel like they are being talked about. No one wants to work in a negative space.

The entire staff, the doorman, and the chauffeur should not know you just got a divorce or got drunk last night and have a hang-over. They should not know that the employer likes you most. What they should know is that you are always professional!

If you are upset with your employer about what they said, did or changed, then you need to take it to the employer in a very professional way. This way you can get a clearer understanding and if they are reasonable, they will hear you out. If they are not reasonable and you know going to them will make the matter worse then you know you have to find a better way to deal with whatever happened. Maybe venting once you get home to family, go to the gym and get a good workout, pray, eat, sleep….just don’t gossip with other staff. Find your peace and keep positive energy around you.

When you are gossiping about others, think about this – do you know what they might be going through in their personal life? Maybe they are unaware of something that is bothering you. Whatever it is, it’s none of your business. If it is hurting the work performance of the team, then take it to the team leader. If there is no leader present, try talking to them one on one to see if you can help before jeopardizing their job and complaining to the employer. Empathy goes a long way.

Speaking inappropriately to your employer is a huge no-no. Let’s say your employer is a football star, it’s not appropriate to talk about the game with them or giving them your two cents about their performance. Leave that to the fans. When dealing with any high-profile client, leave all the things a fan would talk about or a gossip column would write about out of your conversation. Your employer is not your “friend” and you should not be their biggest fan. You are their employee. Know your position.

At the end of the day, just go to work to work. Go and clean the home, take the kids to a play date, make a delicious dinner, shovel the snow, make travel arrangements, drive them to their appointment, etc. Do all of the above, speak pleasantly when conversations arise and then go home and enjoy your alone time or your family.

Written by Justine Hall

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Glenn Greenhouse

President at Greenhouse Agcy, Ltd.

Glenn began in the “family business” more than 30 years ago, by coming to work for his Father, Martin Greenhouse. He often recounts how nervous he was, when at 19 years old his Father forced him to pick up the phone and speak with David Suskind. This was to be the first of dozens of phone calls and meetings to come for Glenn……with Celebrity Clientele. Glenn considers himself very fortunate to have spent his life working at a job he truly loves and as he puts it: “earn a comfortable living at the same time.”