Why Too Much Information is Bad for Business

Back to blog

When Disclosure is Therapy

Dataceptionist,

Your comment raises a very important point: At what point does the owner/CEO have an obligation to give a heads-up to the employees so they aren't out making major purchases when they're on the verge of losing their jobs? As I understand the situation you described, the comments went beyond a heads-up and certainly didn't mesh with his assurances that jobs were secure. Credibility is key in such situations. One wonders what he hoped to achieve beyond sharing misery. You don't get people to turn things around by convincing them that things are hopeless. Classic historical example: Winston Churchill's speeches to the British people after the fall of France to the Nazis. He was candid but gave them real hope.

Michael Wade of AZ @ Jul 16, 2008 11:24:35 AM

TMI in my organisation-freaks us out

My company went through a rough financial patch. We were in heaps of debt (100K's of $$) and the business owner, in the guise of re-assuring us all, told us ALL about it. All it served to do was freak us all out. He was telling us with his mouth that our jobs were secure but the figures seemed to say otherwise. We've gotten past it all now but I wish he'd kept it to himself, I think he was simply unburdening himself.

Dataceptionist @ Jul 14, 2008 19:21:49 PM

Back to blog

Add Your Thoughts
About You
On Careers

On Careers

Find savvy job advice from the brains behind top careers blogs, including Jobacle, Ask a Manager, What Would Dad Say, Newly Corporate, Cheezhead, Evil HR Lady, The M.A.P. Maker and Execupundit.

advertisement

advertisement

Subscribe

U.S. News Digital Weekly

A weekly insider's guide to politics and policy — in a multimedia, digital format. 52 issues for $19.95!

U.S. News & World Report

6 months of U.S. News & World Report's print edition for only $15. Save up to 67% off the cover price!