While opinion is coloured by the public disaffection for the Trump administration, the recent Op-Ed is an embodiment of the desecration of a sacred pact

Ada Obaje

The world is moving at the dizzying speed of a hurricane, and mercilessly pounding at revered values that were instituted to cement human relationships, whether at the private or corporate level. The popular statement by Nicholas Sparks, “Some things are best kept secret” prescribes restraint and utmost discretion in matters deemed private and confidential. In business and for national security purposes, adherence to laid down statutes define the rules of engagement with stiff penalties for any form of violation. Like every man made law, there are also exceptions to the rule clearly defined. Respect for the private sides of others is considered an act of civility.

READ ALSO: Withering civility

One of the game changers of society is the internet, an invention which propels information to travel at nanospeed, making it a herculean task to preserve secrets of any kind. In an information age, where at the push of a button unsolicited information is thrust at the individual, the need to be reminded about respect for the feelings of others becomes imperative.

As I type this, South Korea is cracking down on secret recording while the White house is said to be racing to identify the author of the Op-Ed article that rocked the White House. In a frenzy, detectives are going round every nook and cranny, restrooms, toilet seats, washrooms, scanning with a fine tooth comb, deploying very granular approach to fish out hidden devices. The essence of the exercise is to prevent access to any form of classified information from getting into the public domain.

The bewildered White House, jolted by the brazen affront to sanctitude in matters of state is thrown into confusion, weighing in on conventional and otherwise measures in a desperate bid to fish out the enemies within. President Trump, who should be honoured as the Most Criticized President (MCP) in the world, has had to contend with treacherous staff, who seek to outdo each other in commercializing secret information gleaned in the course of duty. All one requires to author a bestselling book is to have a stint in the West Wing, earn an inglorious exit and head to the nearest publishing house.

READ ALSO: New book says White House under Trump in perpetual ‘nervous breakdown’

The uncanny ability to glide like an eagle from one storm to the other using the contrary wind to boost momentum best describes President Trump’s nonchalant attitude to the myriad of scandals trailing his administration. All this changed with the emergence of the “resistance” in the seat of government.

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While opinion is coloured by the public disaffection for the Trump administration, the recent Op-Ed is an embodiment of the desecration of a sacred pact and should be of concern to every professional.

The oath of secrecy is the nucleus of some contractual arrangements. Seen in the form of nondisclosure, privacy oath, it is administered to protect a sensitive transaction. There are stipulated conditions under which one is discharged from the oath. Robust whistleblowing policies clearly outline how perceived wrongdoing in any organization is reported. Beyond that, it is highly unethical to breach a sacred oath under any guise. This is by no means in support of devilish oaths administered by unscrupulous individuals who subject victims to inhuman practices.

The emphasis is on business etiquette, where such unprofessional conducts ultimately take their toll on business. This became of grave concern when a client livid with rage narrated how a yet to be identified staff informed their foreign partners that the organization was burdened by backlog of unpaid salaries (two months in reality). The disclosure with no known correlation with the offshore counterparts almost put the company in jeopardy.

In the course of recruitment, prospective candidates have lost opportunities for career advancement by giving out unsolicited privileged information about past or current employers. An encounter with a prospective domestic hire remains indelible as the candidate regaled the interviewer with shocking details of the most private issues about the boss. This is most deplorable and should not on any account be encouraged. Business relationships thrive on trust embedded in preservation of confidential information. Parties have a responsibility to protect such information acquired in the course of interaction. Worrisome trends of service providers recording unsuspecting client or throwing out confidential information is tantamount to a breach and clearly punishable in law. Flagrant disregard for the prohibition of secret gadgets in clearly designated security areas is evidence of churlish behavior.

It becomes critical to highlight laid down values, which are endangered by the growing but unchecked influence of the social media.

Say no to sacrilege.

READ ALSO: SACRILEGE!