The trouble with the rumour mill is that it’s subjective.
Instead of facts you’re getting worldviews.
“Watch out for Derek, he is absolutely livid”
“Really? I just bumped into him and he seemed fine”
If in doubt I find there is validation in numbers.
If all 12 people at the meeting said Derek was in a bad mood then I think it wise to avoid Derek for the afternoon.
The aggregate of many opinions gets somewhat closer to the truth.
Another tactic is to be your own judge.
“Thanks for the info Bert but I’m going to find out for myself”
Thomas Duggan 