As managers, we have to keep certain information confidential, such as personal details about others.
As a manager, I can’t share everything with my employees, but I will tell you as much as I can. I’ll also let you know when there’s something I can’t disclose—unless I’ve been specifically instructed not to say anything at all.
Ask around; others who aren’t managers may know the answer. It’s surprising how quickly confidential information can travel.
I’m not going to deceive you, but I will keep necessary secrets, and I’ll let you know when there’s something I can’t share.
Sometimes, it’s not a secret, but I have to be careful about how I communicate certain things. For instance, I might tell someone they did well in an interview for a promotion, while making it clear that it doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed the role over someone else. Or, there might be a significant organizational change that won’t affect anyone’s day-to-day work, but I have to be cautious because an individual could misunderstand and spread information that unnecessarily alarms others.