103. Fight Rumour with Rumour

A student from the Office Dynamics course is talking to his teacher during a one-on-one session about a problem his colleague is facing at work. The student is asking for the teacher’s advice on what his colleague can do.

Teacher: People in your office are saying that your colleague has a crush on his team leader’s girlfriend?

Student: Yes, and the rumour is spreading. This can be bad for him.

Teacher: What is he afraid of?

Student: The team leader is rather vindictive. He can try to create trouble for my colleague. And he is definitely going to be upset if he hears that my colleague has an eye on his girlfriend.

Teacher: I see. What does your colleague want now?

Student: He wants to know if there are any ways of stopping this rumour before it reaches the team leader.

Teacher: Hmm. Stopping a rumour is not easy. Tell me, does he really like her?

Student: Head over heels, sir.

Teacher: I see. This makes the spread of information a gossip and not only a rumour. See, you cannot destroy gossip. You can either dispel it by proving something to the contrary or you can cover it with something more interesting, a new event or a new rumour, that is more fascinating than his love life. Then people will start talking about that event and his scandal will take a backseat.

Student: But where is such an event, sir?

Teacher: Are there going to be any major changes or announcements in the short future?

Student: Not that I know of. And there is not much time before the story reaches the team leader.

Teacher: Then he will have to take the dispelling way. Does he have a girlfriend?

Student: No, sir.

Teacher: Did he ever have a girlfriend?

Student: Probably no, sir.

Teacher: Is he the type of guy who can convince a girl to play as his girlfriend for a couple of days in front of his colleagues?

Student: Definitely not, sir. I can ask someone to play the part of the girlfriend but he will be too nervous.

Teacher: Then there is only one option left. Listen carefully. You have to start a rumour about him being in crazy stupid love with some other girl, preferably outside office. Make up a story about how puppy-like devoted he is to her. Make him look dumb. Make people laugh at him. That will convince everyone that he is actually after another girl.

Student: Should I also tell people that he does not like the team leader’s girlfriend?

Teacher: No. Let them deduce that on their own. But make sure to give them a saucy story about this other girl, or else it won’t stick. Fight rumour with rumour. That is the mantra. This might blow a hole in his dignity, but it will save his job.