The Art of Positive Gossiping

I will be the first to admit, I gossip too much.

Guess what? We all do. We are all guilty of it. This school is small. Very small. Everybody knows everybody. Everybody is in everybody else's business. Some of us even date each other (bad idea jeans, but that's neither here nor there). It's summer camp all over again. Let's face it; gossiping is horrible. It's childish. We are all adults and yet we act like children when we say negative things behind people's backs.

I'll be the first to say this because I'm especially guilty of it. My name is Jordan Rockwell and I gossip too much. The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem. There we go.

To be certain, we ELs have all warned you; be a good group member, pull your weight, do your work, or else you will develop a reputation. Some of you will earn that reputation.

But enough is enough.

So I had a thought the other day. Why not do the exact opposite? Our mothers taught us that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Sage advice. But what if you have something nice to say? Why not say it? Why not say it nice and loud? Why not try some "positive gossiping"?

I have met so many wonderful people at this school, and made some lifelong friends. Why not single some of them out? Justin Malik: one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and he rocks at Guitar Hero. Trey Best: helped me through accounting AND finance without asking for anything in return. Meghan Barnes: mentored me and never gave up on me. Boom. Three right there. And what a coink-kee-dink, all three of them are EL's. Go figure.

I could name more. And why not? JC Garrett, Mark Cathy and James Imantani: even though my football skills are not the best (haven't played since the 90's), they have been nothing but encouraging in Intramural football, true leaders all three. George Granados (a little plug here for our club), President of the Entertainment club. Solid leader, pushes me to work harder and encourages a collaborative spirit in the club leadership (I'll forgive him for liking Terminator: Salvation better than Star Trek). On and on and on.

Lord knows you're going to meet people in your life, let alone here, that will rub you the wrong way. All that I am suggesting you do is not burn too many calories worrying about them; instead, think about how lucky you are to have so many supportive and wonderful people around you. Focus on that, and you'll see a positive change in your everyday happiness. And with those around you.

And don't hesitate to tell them, or anyone else. You'll feel better, trust me.

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Jordan Rockwell
Director of Communications
The Entertainment Club of Pepperdine University
MBA Candidate April 2010
Graziadio School of Business & Management
Pepperdine University
jordanrockwell@gmail.com
310-502-0235 (c)