"Never find fault with the absent." - Alexander Pope.

"Never find fault with the absent." - Alexander Pope. Speak Well, Even When They’re Not in the Room How you speak about someone in their absence defines your integrity. True leadership is built in these unseen moments. The Weight of Our Words We’ve all seen it happen. The moment someone steps away, the conversation changes. Voices drop. Criticism flows. It’s easy to speak when the person you’re talking about isn’t there to defend themselves. But here’s the thing—what you say about someone in their absence says far more about you than it does about them. Your words don’t just travel; they leave a trail of who you are. In workplaces, friendships, and leadership circles, that trail builds—or burns—your credibility. Is Loudest in Silence The real test of integrity isn’t how you speak when everyone’s listening. It’s how you speak when the subject of your words will never hear them. Gossip feels harmless in the moment, but it erodes trust fast. The person you’re talking to today wi...