No one is born with the full skillset to lead healthy, high-performing teams. Some may have natural charisma, others a strong work ethic or strategic mind, but everyone has blind spots. What we call “natural leadership” often centers on managing tasks and driving outcomes — or inspiring people who manage tasks and drive outcomes. But good leaders don’t simply lead the work.

Gossip doesn’t just damage individual relationships. It divides whole teams. It’s like pouring sand into the gears of a well-oiled machine. The system slows, grinds, and eventually breaks down…And perhaps most dangerously, gossip robs leaders and teams of the information they need to act.