Chapter 16. Confidentiality Counts

“Loose lips sink ships” said an Allied slogan during World War II. It reminded nonmilitary citizens and members of the armed forces alike that one casual comment could have critical consequences. Keeping quiet was the only way to ensure that information did not fall into enemy hands. Something mentioned to a friend or acquaintance could be passed to someone else less friendly who might employ that information to dangerous ends. The safest option was to say nothing.

We may not be in a conflict situation at work, and the impact of letting something slip may not be so disastrous, but a similar attitude toward the dissemination of information is nevertheless advisable. The dealings of organizational life result in ...

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