• No products in the basket.
cart chevron-down close-disc
:
  • Arts & Culture
  • Issue 46

Nothing
Personal

It's okay to keep it professional. Words by Allyssia Alleyne. Photograph by Allyssa Heuze / Courtesy of Trunk Archive.

Among companies with a conscience, there’s a fashionable notion that employees should be bringing their “whole selves” to work. The whole self is vocal with feedback and generous with personal stories. The whole self is bursting with low-level quirks and surprising interests. And the whole self is honest about their struggles and patient with their colleagues, because we’re all friends here, right? 

The concept of bringing one’s “real” self to work was popularized in 2015 by the author and speaker Mike Robbins, who implored viewers of his much-watched TED Talk to “embrace vulnerability and to let go of our attachment to what other people think about us.” It’s a lovely concept, this idea of just being yourself. But don’t fall for it. You don’t owe your boss your personality, and the risk of baring it all can far outweigh the rewards. 

K46_Product_Cover_Thumb

This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Six

Buy Now

This story appears in a print issue of Kinfolk. You’re welcome to read this story for free or subscribe to enjoy unlimited access.

Subscribe

Kinfolk.com uses cookies to personalize and deliver appropriate content, analyze website traffic and display advertising. Visit our cookie policy to learn more. By clicking "Accept" you agree to our terms and may continue to use Kinfolk.com.