Form Your Own Opinions

Genuine people form their own opinions about others through their own experiences in any context, rather than relying on the biased accounts of others.

They understand that those who spread lies and slander often have ulterior motives, and this behaviour typically reveals more about the character of the slanderer than their target.

By discerning the truth for themselves, genuine individuals demonstrate integrity and fairness, choosing to see the good in others rather than being swayed by malicious gossip.

Usually, it comes from those who you have had to cut off, set boundaries with, or distance yourself from and those who can't take rejection so they resort to smear campaigns. 

No one that was meant to be in your life would never listen to people like that in the first place, and they would fully honour and respect your boundaries and time. The way that you respect theirs.