The old adage "If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t
say anything at all" is especially valid today. In any organization,
regardless of size, the rumor mill works overtime when it comes to
negative gossip. And you can be sure that unkind things you say about
others will very quickly find their way to them, for it is also a truism
that those who talk about others to us talk about us to others. Not
only should you not speak badly of others you should not participate in
conversations in which others do. Spend your time with those who focus
on important things, and you will never have to apologize for an unkind
word uttered in a moment of weakness.
