Sharing too much personal information at work can derail your career. In this article, originally published on LinkedIn Pulse, Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and president of TalentSmart, shares insights on navigating this minefield.
You can't build strong professional relationships without opening up to colleagues, but oversharing the wrong details can have lasting negative effects.
Mastering what to share is a skill. TalentSmart's testing of over a million people shows that 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence (EQ). They excel at reading social cues to know what to reveal—and what to keep private.
Related: Why You Need Emotional Intelligence to Succeed
Here are the 12 most harmful things to avoid disclosing at work:
- That they hate their job. Complaining poisons team morale and brands you as negative. Leaders quickly spot and replace morale killers.
- That they think someone is incompetent. Incompetence exists everywhere, but publicly calling it out seems petty and backfires, damaging your reputation.
- How much money they make. Salary talk breeds resentment and comparison. Keep it private to maintain healthy dynamics.
- Their political and religious beliefs. These are deeply personal and tied to identity. Debating them risks alienating colleagues and sparking conflict.
- What they do on Facebook. Inappropriate posts can undermine your professionalism. Use LinkedIn for work connections and keep Facebook personal.
- What they do in the bedroom. Bedroom talk makes others uncomfortable and tarnishes your image instantly.
- What they think someone else is doing in the bedroom. Speculating on others' private lives is invasive and off-putting. Keep such thoughts to yourself.
- That they are gunning for someone else's job. It signals selfishness. Focus on team success to advance your own goals.
- How wild they were in college. Past indiscretions suggest poor judgment under pressure. Let your current professionalism speak.
- How much they love to get drunk. Boasting about partying paints you as unreliable, regardless of performance.
- An offensive joke. They hurt feelings and reveal poor judgment. If it could offend anyone, skip it.
- That they are job hunting. It makes you seem disengaged. Secure an offer first to avoid being sidelined.
Bringing it all together, high-EQ individuals protect their careers by mastering discretion. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments—I learn as much from you as you do from me.
Related: Say These 14 Things To Get You Fired
