How to successfully share personal details at work

Taking your whole self to work is a well-known criterion for a great work experience, but it’s worth thinking about what this really means. Should you share every personal detail? How much is enough? Research has found that workers are happier and satisfied with their work when they feel they can be themselves.

Allow the relationship to unfold

Relationships and trust are built over time, and in general, you can’t fast track trust

• Be patient and invest time during which you ferret out what’s best to share and at what pace
• Overall, be selective about what you share, with whom, as well as when and where

Consider the status of your career

Everything you say will leave an impression, and people will remember even throw-away statements that you wouldn’t consider memorable in the moment.

• Consider whether the information you share will strength or weaken people’s perceptions of you, and make appropriate decisions. How you share, how much you share and with whom matter most.

Think about what is “off limits”

In order to build healthy relationships at work within a strong culture, look for organizations where there is an overall foundation of respect and trust among colleagues

• Be patient with relationships and know they are built slowly, over time-especially in a work context
• Invest, commit and do your best work while you allow work relationships to blossom naturally

Consider the relationship type

Start with the nature of the relationship, and think in concentric circles

• Connections which involve trust are built slowly
• Realize you may not reveal everything to everyone
• A diversity of relationships with a variety of people with whom you share more-or less

Think about the task at-hand

At work, you may not feel comfortable making intimate friendships, and it’s legitimate to have solid relationships at work with people who aren’t your besties.

• Remove the pressure to develop intimacy with work contacts by asking yourself: What will your share will help you at work and whether it is important to the success of the task?

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