Sharing Personal Information With Your Boss: When and How

The Spectrum of Sharing

• 💡 The discussion highlights that most professionals do not share everything with their boss, nor should they.
• ⚠️ Both extremes—sharing everything or sharing nothing—are generally not recommended for a healthy professional relationship.

The Value of Sharing

• 🧠 Sharing more personal information can build trust and stronger relationships with your boss, which is crucial for professional growth.
• 🚀 Without sharing, you risk being perceived as a "robot" who only performs tasks, potentially limiting your ability to receive consideration for special requests like time off or flexibility.
• 🤝 Building trust is essential for receiving dispensations, as bosses are more likely to grant favors to those they know and trust.

Navigating Confidentiality and Risk

• ⚠️ Do not expect confidentiality when sharing personal information with your boss; assume they may be obligated to share it.
• ⚖️ The ability of a boss to speak for the firm (role power) implies that when you speak to your boss, you are speaking to the company, thus limiting confidentiality.
• 🎯 Judge the risk of sharing based on your boss's past behavior and their general disposition towards personal disclosures.
• 📈 While sharing can lead to consideration, be aware that some bosses may react negatively out of ignorance or fear (e.g., fear of you leaving).

When Consideration is Needed

• 🗓️ If you need flexibility (e.g., leaving early for appointments), sharing a legitimate reason makes it easier for your boss to grant the request and defend it to others.
• ❓ A boss's inquiry into your well-being after a medical appointment is a sign of care, not necessarily an invasion of privacy, and can foster a stronger relationship.
• 🤥 Lying about the reason for needing time off, even if you have a valid underlying reason, can lead to termination if discovered.

Reciprocity in Relationships

• 🤝 The principle of reciprocity suggests that if you want favors, you must be willing to give something in return, which includes sharing personal information to build trust.
• 🚶‍♀️ A relationship with your boss requires mutual steps; if you expect them to step towards you, you must also step towards them by sharing appropriately.
• ✅ Sharing more personal details can lead to a boss being more understanding and supportive, especially when you need accommodations or flexibility.