By Karen Porter

As an administrative professional, you must communicate with a lot of different people on the job. And sometimes even off the premises after official work hours, such as at work related lunches, holiday parties, and employee sponsored special events. During all of these situations, you’re still “at work.” Don’t ever forget that!

These people you communicate with include your manager or executive, co-workers, clients, vendors, and more. And if you’re fostering these working relationships in order to keep harmonious and effective communication lines going, you’re probably making some small talk with these people. In conversation, you’re likely seeking some commonalities with each person — especially with people whom you regularly work or communicate. So you may disclose a little something about yourself while developing that working relationship. It’s at this point where you need to be careful not to go overboard. This isn’t a family setting. Don’t make yourself at home. Sometimes self honesty in the workplace calls for self censorship.

Not only are there invisible boundaries at work about what you should and shouldn’t ask people about themselves, but invisible boundaries exist for self disclosure too. What you say can affect…

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