I sat down with a couple of my former Directors today... figured since I don't work directly with them anymore that they would give me good, honest feedback on my performance.

One said it used to drive him crazy that I never broke confidentiality. He'd try to get information out of me and I never told ... but on the flip side, he respected me for it and trusted me that much more. So he said that it was annoying but it's actually a strength.

It was interesting because I've had people tell me before that I keep confidences too well and never understood what they meant. I don't think there is such a thing as being too trustworthy, especially as an admin.

Has anyone else had someone say that to them?

I'm interested to know what you wouldn't tell him!!

Anyway I really don't get too involved with situations like that. Either it doesn't affect me or it's so boring I'm just not interested.

My last boss tried to be like that from the start, wanting to know what was going on, was there anything to tell. I had only just started a few weeks when he asked me that and I just looked blankly at him so I think he got the message that either I wasn't into telling tales or that I just wasn't aware I should be doing it.

For me, I'm a PA. I'm not hired to be a spy and if I am then that job is not for me. Not breaking confidentiality is completely different to disclosing idle gossip. Being trustworthy I can do because I am just not in the habit of talking about such things that are of no concern to me or anyone else.

I work to live, I don't live to work!

I've never had that said to me, MissLynn. I've had compliments paid to me by people who say they feel really comfortable saying things to me because they know those things won't be repeated.

Client confidentiality is really key in my industry, so I'm used to keeping schtum.

I guess most admins with half a brain cell will know the difference between someone who is telling you something that they want to be passed on and something that they are just telling you because they need a listening ear.

I think you were paid a huge compliment by your former Directors and you should give yourself a huge pat on the back. There are so many people around these days who seem to lack integrity, good manners and don't know how to get along with other folks so it's nice to be given that sort of feedback.

Here's raising my glass (of sparkling water!) to you!

Cheers,

Happy Clappy

I've always adhered to my rule of thumb: "The less you say, the less you're held accountable for!"

At this point, many people know better than to try to "pump" me for information.

I've annoyed a lot of people, but I've never been criticized or chastized for it.

My grandmother always told me, "A dog that brings a bone, carries a bone". I always keep that little saying in the back of my mind.

I would never betray a confidence. Especially with my boss. Building trust in the relationship takes time, and I would be crushed if it were violated. I spent much of my career in HR, over half in Employee benefits. At that time, I handled the disability claims, medical liason with the insurance co., death claims, and I saw alot. Never did I talk about someone elses personal business. I was exposed to compensation for the entire company and never did I speak about what someone made. I don't think you can ever be too trustworthy. Once trust is broken, you can never get it back. With trust you also gain respect from others. It is better to keep what you know to yourself in all circumstances.

I agree with peaches. I've gained trust by keeping the little secrets, so my managers know they can trust me with the big ones. I've also been in HR and you see and hear a lot. Never would anyone learn something from me.

I think it's high praise from your directors. You can't buy that kind of reputation!

Thanks all... being in HR as well, there is very little information I don't have access to so confidentiality is absolutely critical. I remember a couple years ago someone made the comment that he doesn't consider anything confidential, you basically have to make him "pinky-swear" in order to keep a secret (yes, he actually said that). Naturally, I never told him anything ever again.

Honestly, I think the men in my company talk more and gossip more than the women. When I was in cubicle, I sat next to guys on two separate occassions. It was amazing how much gossiping went on. I was shocked at some of the stuff they talked about and prefaced it with "don't tell anyone" or "did you know blah blah blah......." They would constantly ask me questions about things they know I knew and it drove them nuts I would not tell.

The only time I might break the rule is to divulge what I'm picking up as the general mood of the workforce. The managers often want to know what's being said about current events and how they're affecting people's worklives. When I traveled to one of our plants earlier this month--in a southern state--one of the managers asked "What is the mood down there? Are they upbeat, or do they seem tense and worried?"

I used to eat lunch with a different crowd than I do now--non-secretarial employees, but not managers either. They always seemed to think I had all kinds of secrets, but I really knew little more than they did. They were mostly guys, and would always pump me for information. I had very little to say, and they'd get so frustrated with me.

The other two gals I eat lunch with now have access to their managers' e-mail boxes, which I don't. Therefore, they are "in on" a lot of happenings I know nothing about. When I find out, they usually say they already knew about it, but kept it to themselves. It's probably best that they do.

I think it's a compliment that your former director told you this.







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