This week I wanted to cover TMI – too much information.
In any workplace, and especially in Big Law, there is a line between keeping people (colleagues, clients, etc) informed about where you are and not sharing too much information.
After the jump, HP provides just enough information – and plenty of examples.
A classic example of too much information is an associate I worked with some years back.
We will call her Elise. Elise was a fairly senior associate. I am not sure what was going on with Elise, but she became very lazy. Elise showed up late, had a variety of reasons why she needed to leave early, etc.
But one of the best – when she wasn’t showing up at an important meeting – was when she told a senior male partner that she couldn’t attend because she had diarrhea! Yes, she did. Now, a simple, “I am not feeling well,” or “I have a stomach bug” (if you really want to be specific though I think it is too much sharing) would have been sufficient.
Quickly this tale got around the office.
Are you cringing? Because we were.
Sometimes we have family commitments and want or need to be out of the office. Like when little Johnny, your 6 year old and his class, are going to the pumpkin patch in October for a field trip and you promised Johnny you would attend.
Should you send an email to your supervisors/partners indicating you are going to the pumpkin patch? NO, bad idea.
I am not saying to straight out lie, but let people know you have a commitment outside of your office, or an appointment etc., I really do not think heavy duty specifics are necessary and for those people who will be annoyed you are taking time away from their “important” work for finding pumpkins and fall apples, why give them ammunition? Similarly if you are waiting on the plumber to unclog the toilet, we don’t need to know that. Just indicate you are waiting on a service provider, and will be checking e-mails and are available.
Now, these situations are to be distinguished from, say, a serious health issue where you need to be out of the office or you have a seriously ill family member, or a funeral or wake to attend. I think in those circumstances, it is ok to say, for example, you are attending a memorial service and you expect to be in at 1pm.
Moving on to TMI topics to stay away from – well, of course, bodily fluids such as Ms. Diarrhea would be one.
Also, use that standard advice that politics and religion are best avoided. You don’t know others’ views and you would not want to offend. I know I mentioned on Hiring Partner’s Office a client I’ve done work for where the GC is very religious. Now, I happen to know this because I am close with this GC. But various people working on the GC’s matters wouldn’t know this. So sharing information about heavy drinking, even living with someone, might catch her attention in the wrong way.
Why go there? There are plenty of other things to discuss that do not require you to share your personal information.
Thus, please spare your Hiring Partner, your colleagues, and clients, information about your aches and pains (real or fake), hot (or lukewarm) social life, and of course any information about other clients. TMI is just inappropriate, and again, makes people question your judgment.
In this age of layoffs, salary cuts, etc., why give anyone ammunition.
Be prudent, be careful, and if necessary, just be silent.
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