How to Effectively Kill Off a Rumor

Rumors - do we ignore them or face them head on? At some point in time, everyone has had something said about them that wasn't true. Something that's so infuriating it gets the blood boiling and the veins popping. And sometimes, a rumor may surface that you don't even know about! Everyone watches you at a distance with their googly eyes, and you don't even know why. Even so, it's best to realize that rumors are like viruses, but unlike computer viruses, it is very difficult for humans to track down who did what and who said what. Although possible (sometimes), it takes lots of effort and time, things that are valuable and precious to us. So how to deal with rumors? Why kill them off of course! Here are some tips on how to take control of your reputation once more.

Spread your own rumor.

Rumors works so successfully because the people who they are about usually turn to methods of anger, irritation, and sadness to combat the rumor. These not only solidify in people's minds that what the rumor was stating was 100% true, they only make you look stupid and irresponsible. Keeping your cool in these extremely sensitive situations can be handled by

Fighting fire with fire? I like it. If there is a rumor being passed around, get one of your close friends to reverse the pattern by starting another rumor, something to your liking. Understand that rumors spread like wildfire (hence the fight fire with fire), so in order to nullify the old rumor, replace it with something new.

Kill Credibility.

How do rumors thrive? They thrive on suggestive facts that lead people to believe that things are true. For example, if you are spending a lot of time on the job doing tasks that require your absence from your desk, someone (usually bored out of his or her mind), could possibly start a rumor saying that you enjoy skipping out on work and delaying your duties, when in fact you were just out conducting errands.

And if you were in your co-workers' position, you just might think the same thing. So in order to refute this rumor, you need to kill off all credibility that makes this suggestive evidence actually have influence. For example, you could only accept duties that require you to be at your desk, get someone else to run your errands, or ask your boss to assign you duties that allow you to stay at the office (granted you have such an accommodating supervisor).

It's another situation when you don't really care what others think. Although good for yourself to keep this peace of mind, rumors can kill your reputation in a matter of minutes, something that might take months or years to rebuild. Sometimes, rumors are so powerful they even ruin marriages and families. So although it is good to have your own thoughts on various matters regarding what people think about you, know that rumors are extremely powerful, and some might cause you more trouble than you think.

Let the fun times STOP.

Understand that rumors only surface because people feel that they have "insider information" that others don't. They like to feel that they are part of something that only they know about, and they want to sustain that status for as long as they can. How do they do it? They make themselves feel respected by passing the rumor along to others. And thus the chain starts.

How to stop the fun? By confronting the people you heard talk about the rumor, you are taking the fun out of the game because, well, you know what's going on and that's no fun. People might also get scared that you know what the buzz is all about. They will be scared that you will make up some rumors of your own that could ruin them. By letting the crowd know that you understand what is going on, they will soon be bored and turn to something else (or someone else).

Another way to combat the fun is to speak openly about the rumor. Whether it be offering a passionate rebuttal about what actually happened, or just speaking openly about the rumor and telling others, "Hey, did you know what John said about me? I think it's funny that he would say such a thing." People will not only think John has a big mouth, you are defending yourself by implicitly stating "Hey guys, I know what's going on, so don't think that it is true at all".

Verify your story. Refute the rumor. Walk into the sunset.

Rumors are stories that circulate around, but they don't really have general facts or truths to support them. It's just blank speculation with a hint of subjective evidence. In order to totally kill off a rumor, say something that would totally refute the argument, thus nullifying any truth in the rumor. There's a reason that innocent people all have truthful and verifiable alibis, or else our justice system wouldn't work nearly as well as it does. This way, you won't have to wait for a rumor to die down. Rather, you stop the gossip right in its path.

Join in on the fun!

If the rumor is small and very minor (although still extremely annoying), join in on it and act like you are not phased. Even better, laugh a little and join in on the fun. The buzz will soon die down as people get bored of not being able to shake your foundations.

Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any damage caused to your reputation by this tip. Any methods of action that you should decide to take are of your own free will, and make sure they are small before you engage in lackadaisical amusement. If a rumor has the possibility to destroy you, then stop it. Don't laugh.

This article has explained ways to fight a rumor, but sometimes there is a truth in what people are saying. Before you take any action, think about why people are saying the things they are saying, and evaluate if there is any truth to the rumors. If you feel that you DID do something to warrant these accusations, then it's time to change your own actions. Over time, your actions will speak louder than anything, and the rumors will die down (well then they aren't really rumors, are they?)

As with dealing with any situation, keep cool in the face of adversity, and use your brain to fight rumors off. There is a lot of politics involved when it comes to dealing with people, so always put yourself in the crowd's shoes, and think of ways that would make them bored or tired of the rumor. Now transition back to your own shoes and devise a plan of action!