The Psychology of Secrets, with Dr. Michael Slepian

Published: June 15, 2022, 6 a.m.

b'#386: We all have our secrets.\\nWe keep some secrets from bosses, colleagues and clients, like the fact that we hope to retire early, change careers, or start a business.\\nWe keep other secrets from friends and family, like our income, net worth, spending habits and investing mistakes.\\nResearch from around the world shows that we tend to keep the same types of secrets \\u2013 around 38 common varieties, including secrets about finances, ambitions, beliefs, habits, unpopular opinions, mental health, trauma, addiction, and drug use.\\nThese 38 common types of secrets fall into three categories: (1) moral secrets, which we fear will either cast judgment on us or will cause harm to another; (2) relational secrets, which we fear will harm our relationships; and (3) goal and ambition secrets, related to career, business and finances.\\nIn today\\u2019s episode, Columbia University professor Dr. Michael Slepian discusses the secret life of secrets.\\nDr. Slepian is the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Associate Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School. Prior to that, he was a visiting scholar at Stanford University.\\nHis research focuses on the social costs of secrecy.\\nWhat impact do secrets have on our lives and health? What are the hidden costs of keeping quiet? Are there certain things that are better left unsaid?\\nWhat should we share, with whom, and when \\u2026 especially when there are career, social and financial repercussions to revealing information?\\nDr. Slepian joins us today to share his insight. Enjoy!\\n\\nFor more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode386\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices'