What behavior involves informal discussions that potentially harm other individuals' reputations?

Gossiping is characterized by informal conversations that often share details about individuals, usually without their consent and frequently with an agenda that could damage their reputation. This behavior can lead to misunderstandings and can create a toxic atmosphere, as it tends to perpetuate rumors and misinformation. In organizational contexts, gossiping can erode trust among colleagues, lower morale, and ultimately affect productivity. The nature of gossip means it can proliferate quickly and impact relationships, making its potential consequences quite serious in a workplace setting.

Other behaviors mentioned, such as incivility, personal aggression, and abuse, revolve more around overt hostility or direct negative actions. While they can also harm reputations, they do so through direct conflict or violation of acceptable conduct rather than through the indirect and often elusive nature of gossiping.