1. Perhaps it’s something that comes with the professions, but confidentiality is the hallmark of any professional & advisory relationship. It’s a mark of good faith. The other party must be comfortable that what you discuss will never be revealed; that it will stay between you.
2. Even journalists whose main job it is to tell stories swear by their duty to protect the confidentiality of their sources. Recognising the importance of confidentiality in such relationships, the law has several rules that are designed to protect it. It’s given sacred status.
3. For lawyers, there’s attorney-client privilege. For journalists, there’s protection of confidentiality of journalists’ sources. Doctors & therapists are also bound by rules of patient confidentiality. It gives confidence & freedom to both parties in that relationship.
4. If you’re a political actor, you must be comfortable that the person you’re engaging respects confidentiality, that they will not use what you discuss against you. There’re tell-tale signs: they easily reveal your communications, screenshots & all. If you see that, RUN!
5. You must never stay in a situation where you fear that the other person might reveal damaging information. Best to bite the bullet & let them reveal it. It’s their only weapon. The storm will pass, but they would have hurt their reputation because no-one will trust them again.
6. Breach of confidence might hurt a victim’s standing but it also damages the standing of the author of the breach. If you’re going to form a relationship with a serial breaker of confidence, you will only have yourself to blame when they behave true to type.
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