Key facts
- Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking, has a strict no-gossip policy.
- Employees caught gossiping receive a warning, with termination for a second offense.
- Sanchez fired an employee for spreading gossip and victimhood, stating they "broke our code."
- Sanchez believes in direct communication and dislikes toxic cultures.
- Sanchez's company, Contrarian Thinking, is based in Austin, Texas.
Entrepreneur Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking, has established a firm stance against workplace gossip, declaring it a fireable offense. Sanchez, who also hosts the podcast "BigDeal" and has a significant social media following, believes in direct communication and stated that employees who spread rumors will be terminated after an initial warning. She shared an anecdote from her new book, "Own or Be Owned: Build a Business So Good It Doesn't Need You," about letting go of an employee who was a "mascot for everything broken" due to their persistent gossip and victimhood mentality. Sanchez emphasized that the employee was dismissed not for poor job performance, but for violating the company's code of conduct. She advocates for directness, stating, "If you want to whisper in hallways, this is the wrong company for you." Sanchez also noted that she has received direct feedback herself and strives for clarity in her own communications, recognizing that unclear messages can be detrimental. She also acknowledged that her public persona can be intimidating to new employees and that she works to break down that parasocial relationship upon their arrival.