Why Do My Colleagues Withhold Information and How Can I Encourage Openness?

Hi Seniors,

I would like to ask one thing which I have observed in my company. I am working in a top IT company with a total of 1.5 years of experience. What I have observed is that the team members don't like to help others. They hide their initiatives or withhold good information on certain topics. I am very extroverted, so I asked them why they are hiding these things from me or why they are not helping me understand. Their response was that if they were to share their knowledge with me, they questioned what benefit it would bring to them within the organization.

Seniors, could you please shed some light on this? Why is this the case?

Thanks

No one wants to degrade their value; everyone wishes that their importance be recognized in the company. In colleges, we can find friends who claim they haven't studied a thing, despite cramming all night. 😜😜

That is because they fear that if someone else acquires what they know, their importance would diminish. This is a general human tendency; there's nothing to be done about it. This behavior can also be observed in animals while eating; even if they are friends, when someone approaches them while eating, the dogs growl because they fear someone will take their food.

It's normal, and every human does it. However, some exceptional individuals like to give everything and are not concerned about their importance; they don't behave as you described. 😜😜😜

Hope you got the point.

Then why are we sharing such valuable things over here on this forum? Why are we giving advice to others? Why are we helping others? Is it possible that I can take your place in your company after receiving advice from you only?

Thanks

Then why are we sharing such valuable things over here on this forum? Because we don't know each other, and we need some help from unknown people. Mostly, the questions people ask here could be asked to their colleagues and seniors, but they don't ask because they worry about what their colleagues or seniors might think if they do. Why do we give advice to others? The same question applies. Why do we help others? Again, the same question. Is it possible that I could take your place in your company after receiving advice from you only? For this, please read this story. Actually, the verses are not very understandable, but you can get the hint: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/j2/j2084.htm

I agree with "HR for HR." There are some things that are not supposed to be shared, whereas some things are meant to be transparent. If required, your senior will tell you what the matter is; if not required, the senior will not. Do not let this get in the way of your performance.

Regards,
Shraddha

Hi Junior,

This situation is puzzling you because you are probably at a starting stage on the learning side. A few years down the line, you would probably be doing the same thing as your seniors! 😄

This situation arises when the management is not very encouraging towards teamwork. In your organization, there is probably recognition for any individual who comes up with brilliant ideas or out-of-the-box thinking. In such an atmosphere, every individual aspires to figure out innovative things on their own and present them to the management. Whereas if the management allots assignments to a set of team members and encourages the team as a whole to present their ideas, it would lead to an open atmosphere where everyone participates. The team leader will freely project the whole group.

It may take some time for you to perceive the working culture in the organization. If an opportunity arises, you could voice your thoughts in appropriate HR forums (without rubbing the feelings of higher-ups/management though). For the immediate present, you could try to assure your immediate supervisors that you are keen on learning, not on overtaking!!!!

Finally, remember, these are all my perceptions...

Good Luck!!

Thank you for your information. Of course, I am very junior in the industry. But one thing I would like to share with all of you. I might be wrong as I am very junior to all of you.

There are two types of skills. One is your skills because of which you are recognized in the job/industry. But there are other skills that everyone should know. As I am junior, I have to learn all the things, and what I think you should share are the second set of skills. It becomes the responsibility of the team members to make new joiners/freshers understand the basic things that may be required. If they are not doing so, then I will say it is wrong.

I have learned all the things that I was seeking from them. Some from my friends and most of them from you, senior people. I will try to change this culture when I reach that stage.

Thanks to all of you for providing such valuable advice and suggestions on this forum.

Thanks, Manish