This study, based on regulatory focus theory and internal locus of control theory, constructs a moderated mediation model to explore how perceived positive workplace gossip indirectly affects employee creativity through promotion-oriented cognitive crafting and risk-taking behavior. Through the analysis of four-wave, two-source survey data from 463 employees, this study found that perceived positive gossip can stimulate promotion-oriented cognitive crafting in the gossiped-about employees, which in turn promotes risk-taking behavior and ultimately enhances creativity. Furthermore, internal locus of control plays a significant moderating role in this mechanism. The gossiped-about employees with a high internal locus of control are more inclined to respond positively when faced with positive gossip, exhibiting higher promotion-oriented cognitive crafting and risk-taking behavior. Overall, this research advances the understanding of positive gossip’s functional consequences and offers practical insights for fostering organizational creativity.