Loose Lips Sinks Ships
Tempted to demonstrate how much confidential information you know at work?
Loose lips not only sinks ships, but the trust given to you by others.
Don’t try to impress a colleague with private information obtained through your supervisor or other key sources.
The Consequences of Leaking Information
An episode from The West Wing (”The People”) provides an excellent example of the consequences of a leak. The Communication Director, Toby Ziegler is angry over a White House leak. The Press Secretary, C.J. Cregg tries to identify where it came from. See this in action here (or here):
Supervisors may reveal confidential information to you as their direct report, or because you’re someone they trust. But when you become a leak, you run the risk of compromising your boss’s position on an issue, and your department in general. It also causes mistrust in work relationships that can alter a department or company’s culture.
I once received information from my boss that I didn’t think was confidential, and then freely discussed it with one of my boss’s peers. My boss felt betrayed, called me out on my indiscretion, and I was never trusted by my boss again.
Information is Power
You will be tempted to feel powerful by sharing the knowledge you hold, but if used improperly, power will harm your upward mobility in your company. Not only does it affect you your career, but it can harm your team, boss, department, or company.
Don’t sink ships. Keep the confidences of your colleagues and superiors.
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“Information is power” could not be more true. I’ve observed co-workers who take that to the other extreme: instead of sharing information, they horde it. Or more accurately, revel in implying that they have access to information, and therefore are powerful people.
This approach also can backfire, but takes a lot longer. You’re peers will not trust you and that will cost you in the long run.
So true! Excellent point Lisa. Hording info is a classic play on information is power. I like your point on how this power can backfire.