Withholding information

A little woman called her local Hospital. She said, “Is this XXX Hospital? Hello, Darling. I’d like to talk with the person who gives the information about the patients. But I don’t want to know if the patient is better or doing like expected, or worse. I want all the information from top to bottom, from A to Z.”

The voice on the other line said, “Would you hold the line please, that’s a very unusual request.”

Then a very authoritative voice came on and said, “Are you the lady who is calling about one of the patients?”

She said, “Yes, darling! I’d like to know the information about Sarah Mendoza in Room 302.”

He said, “Mendoza. Mendoza. Let me see. Marcelino, Mendes — Mendoza. Oh yes, Mrs. Mendoza is doing very well. In fact, she’s had two full meals, her doctor says if she continues improving as she is, he is going to send her home Tuesday at twelve o’clock.”

The woman said, “Thank God! That’s wonderful! She’s going home at twelve o’clock! I’m so happy to hear that. That’s wonderful news.”

The guy on the other end says, “From your enthusiasm, I take it you must be one of the close family.”

She said, “What close family? I’m Mrs. Mendoza! My doctor don’t tell me nothing.”

Now isn’t that awful?

Many…many years ago my wife used to consult a doctor who would never tell us what was going on. I can still remember the scene. We would enter her clinic, she would do the regular stuff you see doctors do but everything done in total silence. And then she writes something down on her chart while we waited and hoped that she would tell us something but she doesn’t. After a few more minutes she looks at us and said: “ So see you next month.”

We walked out of her clinic feeling terrible. There was no communications. Information was withheld and we did not know what was going on. It’s been years now and I still feel terrible; my wife too. Withholding information is not a good thing. 

Let me give you another story.

A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture, and an enterprising Texas Ranger decided to track him down.

After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his favorite cantina, snuck up behind him, put his trusty six-shooter to the bandit’s head, and said, “You’re under arrest. Tell me where you hid the loot or I’ll shoot you.”

But the bandit didn’t speak English, and the Ranger didn’t speak Spanish.

The Ranger asked a local to translate his message. The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried under the oak tree in back of the cantina.

“What did he say?” asked the Ranger anxiously.

The local answered, He say, “He no afraid to die. You can shoot him!”

Some people withhold information for their own vested interest and this is not a good thing.

When vital information is withheld in the work place then the quality of work is affected.

James Grippando says:  Only two kinds of people can talk without inhibitions—strangers or lovers.  Everyone in between is just negotiating.

Maybe he is right but for business to work smoothly there should be an effective feedback mechanism. Information should be exchanged in order for effective communications to take place.

It takes a lot of honesty to disclose information. It takes a lot of courage to be truthful. It takes a lot of responsibility to share information and it takes a lot of maturity to understand that you do not withhold vital information for your own interests but you share what you know for the benefit of the entire organization.

The preacher of old A. W. Tozer said: “A guileless mind is a great treasure; it is worth any price.” Accept complete responsibility both for understanding and for being understood. That is what effective communications is all about.

(Send me your feedback and write me: [email protected] You can also listen to my radio program “Business Matters” aired 8:30a.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily over 98.7 dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch’, the classical music station.)