I work for a PR agency, and my main client is a Fortune 500 company. Last week, someone left an anonymous voice mail for me saying that one of my client's internal PR people was spreading "vicious and hurtful" rumors about me and my company. The person who was named regularly trashes her company to reporters and tells them she hates her job, so it's quite conceivable that she's also saying unprofessional things about me. Do you have any advice on whether I should let this go, confront the person at my client or inform her supervisors?

It is maddening to think that someone is smearing your professional reputation. Your instinct is to take action. But first, analyze potential outcomes.

Confront her: Suppose you confront the gossip. If this person disparages her company and her job to reporters, it's doubtful she feels much shame about her actions. She will either deny what she has been doing or try to minimize and rationalize her actions.

Your purpose is to let her know you're aware of the situation and leave her wondering what you might do to correct it.

Tell her about the anonymous voice mail and say you wanted her to know about it because you find it hard to believe she would say such things.

Then suggest that maybe someone took her constructive feedback out of context and ask if your company could be doing something to improve its relationship with the client.

Allowing her to save face this way might help take the wind out of her sails.

Report her: Suppose you approach her supervisors. They might be grateful. Then again, you might find that your client is in denial about this person's behavior or is aware of it and doesn't appreciate your meddling.

Worse, they might not believe you. Consider how your message would be received. Assess the strength of your relationship with your client and what you know about your client's culture and the personalities of the gossip's supervisors.

Possible consequences: What might the gossip do if she is reprimanded? She may assume you were the source of the tip, which could stoke her destructive behavior. I think that you should talk to the gossip or to her supervisors, but not to both. If you talk to the gossip first but she persists, you can escalate the matter to her supervisors.

Meanwhile, remember that the best way to safeguard your reputation with your client is to do a good job.