Most high performers are happy to accept opportunities that allow them to lead a team. Great responsibility, greater contribution, greater impact! Leadership comes with a lot of fun and meaningful work.
AND…it can also feel pretty lonely at times.
One mistake leaders make is oversharing. Meaning, they overshare too much information with their employees. This is a common and easy mistake to make, and it can cost your team greatly, especially in the area of trust and morale.
Here is why:
Oversharing is unprofessional. Sharing too much private information about your life, feelings about your job, your boss or others, and other sensitive subjects can make your team uncomfortable. The worst part is that it can also lead to gossip.
The key to avoiding this pitfall is clarifying your intention. Ask yourself these questions when you feel the urge to share more than what you know is necessary with your employees:
- What is my intention for sharing?
- Will this be helpful to my team?
- Am I sharing to vent?
- Does it feel like gossip?
- Am I looking for validation?
- Is there someone else (a peer, a manager) who would be a better person to speak to about this?
Is it okay to open up to your team? Absolutely! Make sure that when you do, you consider how that information is going to benefit your team, and share with intention. Asking yourself these questions will allow you to avoid simple mistakes and help you nurture some great conversations at work.
