QUESTION: It is better to hide information from colleagues in order to have an edge over them.
FACT: This will be counterproductive for the company.
Some people think that if they hide information, they have a competitive edge over their peers. They think that this will make them more Influential and even give them a sense of being powerful. Yes, there’s no denying that a person with more information can make faster decisions and plan the next,1:. step well, and that he is better equipped to face challenges.1′ That provides him with an advantage over colleagues who not have this information. If a person is in the know about the formation of a new team, a new project, or about a change in the project direction, he’s better prepared to grab opportunities.
Every good company would like to be quick and active in disseminating information. However, sometimes, what happens is that only a few get the relevant information, while others complain about not getting it. The challenge is to ensure the fast spread of information by making sure it does not get stuck due to hierarchy or an improper mailing list. Information should also be clear so that it is not misinterpreted or misrepresented. Incorrect information leads to results opposite of what is intended.
It is true that, what is in a company, all information is not meant for everyone. Some information is made available on a ‘need-to-know basis. It is the management’s responsibility to ensure that relevant information reaches the people who need it, and on time. There are several ways to do this quickly. One can form a mailing list based on a project, an interest group or some critical issues. One can have an all-hands or a town hall meeting to propagate information required for all. Mass e-mail can spread any company news, while information on the company’s Intranet sites also enables people to access it. As for managers, they can have their own team meetings to spread the information.
A culture of sharing information helps in a faster turnaround on any customer request. The company culture needs to be crisply and clearly articulated to the new hires, who should then be periodically reminded of it. Employees should .feel empowered to ask for a proper flow of information and the manager should ensure it.
WHAT CAN you DO AS THE EMPLOYEE? Keeping information from others may sabotage your own case. It may soon come to the notice of your manager that you are a bottleneck in information-sharing and thereby delaying a project. Or your manager might start thinking .that you are not a team player and so assign you future roles accordingly,
WHAT CAN you Do As THE MANAGER? Hiding information is unacceptable. You should discourage it by providing strong feedback. If it happens again, you should find a role for the person where he cannot be a hindrance. You also need to find out why this employee has been withholding information, and whether this tendency is widespread among the team. If it’s the latter, then you have to set up a proper environment of Information-sharing and brainstorming. The change should start from you.
