The Plague of Being Too Personal in Corporate Cultures

Feuds that might not exist.

Photo by Tess Myrl: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-scary-bird-mask-standing-with-smoke-bomb-in-hand-5850537/

Watch out for what you say.

This has never been more of a topic than it is now. Do you sometimes feel you can’t say anything anymore because whatever you say will touch or offend someone?

Everything could be misunderstood or misinterpreted or worse, used against you.

• Where is the line between personal vs. too personal?
• Politically correct vs. not?
• Inclusive vs. not?

Everything is (not) personal

Imagine having a coffee in your office kitchen. The discussion is about the Hockey World Cup.

• Colleague A says it’s a redundant event — a waste of money that could be used better.
• Colleague B defends it for its sports spirit and awesome atmosphere.
• A: “Aha, so you like wasting money, huh?”
• B: “I like guessing scores and having fun watching the matches.”
• A: “So, you think I am no fun if I don’t watch it, right?”
• and so it continues…

Is your every opinion personal? Probably. Do you make assumptions based on what others tell you? Probably.