It doesn’t have to be limited to a couple of co-workers who don’t get along.  It could be corporate-wide lay offs bringing down the morale of the office, management changes, even just being overworked and overstressed.  But how do you rise about it all?

Excuse Yourself

Perhaps the easiest way to avoid water-cooler gossip is to simply remove yourself from the situation. By not immersing yourself in that environment, you avoid the negativity and can keep your own personal morale in the black. And possibly some of your co-workers will follow your example and head back to their desks before long, too.

Be the Change

If you want to see the spirit of your team, department, or company move in a positive direction, set the example that you’d like to see in others.  When you hear less-than-uplifting comments about a co-worker, suggest that she is probably doing the best she can, and give an example. If you sense that the team is a bit disconnected and down, invite everyone out for an impromptu lunch. Bring donuts on a Friday. Plan a happy hour. Nominate yourself as the morale cheerleader and go with it.  Bonus: If you’re truly effective in this regard, you can bet management will pick up on it.

Learn about other ways here.