On the Virtues of Secrecy in Organizations

Abstract

Many authors have highlighted the detrimental aspects of secrecy, particularly as keeping secrets runs contrary to the values of open, democratic societies and institutions. In this view, secrets help the powerful maintain control over the valuable resource of information. In this essay, the authors explore the more positive view, asking what may be virtuous in keeping secrets in organizations. From the perspective of strategy development and implementation, human resource management, and trust development, there are several virtues of secrecy that emerge. Although there are very real costs to keeping secrets, there are also benefits at the organizational and the interpersonal levels.