Oversharing At work is not a smart idea. Why? You never know when what you've said could be used against you or Backfire on you and when you least expect it. I'm not here to preach about who you can speak with or not. That's not the remit of this article. I am writing about the perils of oversharing in the workplace.

I'm amazed at how much people do share. How do I know? I hear from others, but I also listen to it often when I'm out and about. If I'm down in the City of London during lunchtime, I'll hear snippets of conversation as the office folk pour off the shiny glass buildings to grab their lunch. I'm not going to share here what I've heard, but let's put it this way: it made listening very interesting.

Unacceptable Oversharing in Investment Banking

I came from a professional background in a Finance and Management Consultancy environment, where one only shared on a 'need to know basis'. One never shared much, but you knew them well enough if you did. Even then, you would be very careful, too. One knew that if you were brave enough to share anything, you knew it could be used against you. So, we kept quiet on most issues.

Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of banter and discussion, but we looked after our own backs because we knew no one else would. Plus, loyalty comes with a price in the Investment Banking world. When you did share, there was an expectation that the other person would share something in return. It was never a one-way game. You shared, so you gained. That's remained with me ever since I left the corporate world. I'm still careful as to who I share with.

As an Executive Coach, I never share professional information with friends or family. I use my journal frequently, so I don't feel the need to share too much information with anyone except my two coaches. I have two, and they get to hear my stories and any issues I may have. That's why Executive Coaches have coaches themselves.

Imagine The Following

Beth worked in FMCG in Piccadilly, London. She'd been with the company for three years and started as a Project Manager. She'd recently been promoted to Senior PM.

Beth reflected on her journey and smiled when remembering her first six months. She had a colleague called Chloe who seemed to take a shine towards Beth. She invited Beth to lunch and said some things that made Beth raise her eyebrows. She didn't know what to do with the information. Was she supposed to respond? Did Chloe feel relieved for sharing? Beth felt uncomfortable, though.

Beth came from a larger FMCG where professional boundaries were set in stone. You kept your personal opinions to yourself and never said anything to anyone unless it was your work best friend.

Beth decided to keep her distance from Chloe after that initial encounter. She realised that maintaining professional boundaries was crucial, even in a more relaxed work environment.

The Dangers of Oversharing

Oversharing at work can have many negative consequences:

1. Damaging your professional reputation 2. Creating awkward situations with colleagues 3. Providing ammunition for office gossip 4. Potentially jeopardising your career prospects

How to Maintain Professional Boundaries

1. Be mindful of what you share. Do a quick mental check before you share. Ask yourself whether it's appropriate for the workplace.

2. Focus on work-related topics. It's a good idea to keep work and personal life separate. Keep your conversations on professional matters.

3. It's essential to establish clear boundaries. If you find yourself in the middle, redirect conversations if they veer into the personal territory.

4. Be professional with your colleagues at all times to avoid misunderstandings.

5. Think before you speak. Once the words are out, they're out, and it might be tough to reclaim them back or minimise their impact on others.

6 Get a journal. Why? If you feel the need to share with others, then try journalling. The writing process will help you clarify your thoughts, make informed decisions and water down any mistakes you might make by being too emotional or expressive.

The Benefits of Discretion

I'm all for self-expression because it's good to talk. However, being mindful of what you will say and to whom is essential. By being careful, you can:

1. Build a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness 2. Avoid unnecessary workplace drama 3. Maintain better focus on your work and career goals 4. Protect your privacy and personal life

Parting Comments

We're human, and it's natural to want to form connections with colleagues. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between friendliness and professionalism. I believe when you're too relaxed in the workplace, there's a danger you might be off your guard and start revealing too much of yourself to others. This could put you in a vulnerable position, especially as it could give others an advantage over you regarding work-related issues.

Beth's experience provides a good reminder that discretion is an important badge of honour. By being mindful of what we share and maintaining appropriate boundaries, we can build on our professional relationships whilst protecting our long-term career prospects.

Thank you for your attention.

Follow me for more valuable tips.

Pervin

linktr.ee/AimHighLtd