To
Know When to Say It’s None of Your Business
-
Mark McCormack
Mark McCormack was an
American Lawyer and writer. He was dealing with the sports figures like Tiger
Woods, Wayne Gretzky, Andre Agassi etc. through his IMG, International
Management Group. In the given essay, he discusses the need for not interfering
into the personal space of others at the work place.
The Snoop
Mark McCormack
begins the essay making a reference to an executive who was an incorrigible
snoop. He was more interested in knowing the personal details of others. He
enquires in such a way people cannot deny the information he asks for. He collects
information both about the superiors as well as the subordinates. Though it was
an irritating behaviour, the writer points out that his behaviour was harmless
and he did not intend any harm to others based on the information he collects.
The Two Things to be Avoided
According
to the writer one should be very careful while handling the information related
to the following two things:
1.
Someone else’s Money
2. Someone
else’s Personal life.
These are the two sensitive things that people will
hesitate to share. So, the writer advises that one should avoid asking details
related to these. If anyone shows more curiosity in collecting such details it
may end in disappointment and misunderstanding.
A Client’s Behaviour
Mark McCormack
shares a client’s unacceptable behaviour. Once, a writer was given the task of
writing a textbook. The deal regarding money was sealed ahead of the project.
When the work was in progress, he wanted to know the contribution of the
illustrator for this work and his remuneration. So he made a call to the writer’s
company and asked the details of the payment made to the illustrator. Though
the request sounded innocent, the writer opines that it is wrong and the
request was denied consequently.
The Danger of Sharing Personal Life
The
essayist conveys that sharing the personal details with the co-workers is not
necessary and it may harm one’s stay in a work place. He alludes an embarrassing
incident to prove his point. Once a professional developed a warm friendship
with the CEO and shared all the details regarding his personal life and
commitments. On another occasion, when the employee fails to answer one of the
questions asked by the CEO, the boss says “May be you’d know more if you didn’t
spend your evenings on the phone to your girl friend in Chicago”. He ditches the employee that he is wasting his
time with his girl friend. Literally, the boss insults the employee based on
the information shared with him in a private conversation. Hence, the writer
affirms that one need not disclose the personal details at the work place for
the individual’s safety and dignity.
Conclusion
The
writer concludes that there are people who are more interested in knowing other’s
personal details. We are not sure who is harmless and harmful. Hence, one
should try to maintain a professional relationship at the work place to avoid unnecessary
problems in future. It is better that one should neither ask other’s personal
details nor share such details.Hence one should learn to say "It's None of Your Business" whenever needed.
