One of the tasks I assign to my interns is to monitor my LinkedIn messages and comments, compiling a list of links and sending them to me in a daily email. This simple but essential responsibility saves me time and ensures I don’t have to sift through long threads to find the comments that need my response.
Today, Jim (not his real name) completed this task as usual. However, along with the links, he added a personal comment about one of the messages, noting that he found it disrespectful.
I invited him into my office—not to reprimand him, but to clarify something fundamental. His intentions were good. But integrity in the workplace isn’t just about doing what’s required—it’s about understanding the responsibility that comes with access to private conversations.
Interns, like many professionals in support roles, often become silent observers of discussions that were never meant for them. Whether it’s messages in LinkedIn, a business meeting, or even a casual conversation in the office, they inevitably overhear things—sometimes even personal moments, like a phone call with my wife. In these situations, the highest level of professionalism isn’t just keeping the information confidential; it’s acting as if they never heard it in the first place.
Think of a person of service in a home. They may see or hear personal matters, but their role requires them to remain invisible in those moments. It’s not about ignoring reality—it’s about maintaining the trust and integrity of the environment they are part of.
In Jim’s case, he assumed that making a comment to me privately wouldn’t violate discretion. Yet, it did. The individuals I interact with on LinkedIn trust that our conversations remain between us. They don’t know an intern is curating messages for me, and that’s intentional. If interns allow themselves to engage with these messages, even just to share a thought, it begins to erode the invisible wall that protects that trust.
Even when we don’t agree with what someone says, even when we feel compelled to chime in, true integrity means resisting that urge. It means respecting privacy even when no one is looking.
This was a learning moment—not just for Jim, but for me as well. A reminder that discretion isn’t just about keeping secrets; it’s about upholding trust and professionalism at the highest level. Sometimes, the most important skill isn’t just listening—it’s knowing when to forget.
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