I had friends for many years. And they would talk about certain people behind their back. It really disturbed me.
So when things started going wrong with me, and these people turned on me – I walked away. Without discussion.
They thought I got it all wrong. They thought I should have explained, defended, stayed in the room. But in the end, I know I did not.
They'll do it to you too.
Here's what I learned about people who talk behind other people's backs in front of you: if they're comfortable gossiping about someone else in your presence, they're comfortable gossiping about you in someone else's.
It's not about the person they're talking about. It's about the culture they're creating. And you don't have to live in that culture.
You don't have to explain your exit. When you see the pattern, you can just go. No discussion needed.
If someone talks behind another person's back in front of you, pay attention. They're showing you who they are.
Their version of events is not your responsibility. If they think you got it wrong, let them think that. You know what you saw.