Accusations – in any forum – are always serious.

Whether your in a formal minuted meeting, a public forum, an online discussion or a private conversation; accusations are serious forms of gossip.

Accusations commonly move from talking about events to talking about motives or un-heard conversations. They are claims about what other people said or thought.

They shouldn’t be condoned. Feel free to stop people when they make fleeting accusations and ask them to substantiate them; Who said that? How do you know? Was that their intention? Did they tell you? What did you actually see?

Don’t just let accusations pass by. They damage people and relationships. And by the way… be very wary making them yourself.