Actually, it's a bad idea to bring your 'whole self' to work

• There's an idea going around that we should bring our "whole selves" to work.
• I've made that mistake, and I regret it.
• Only bring the parts of yourself that colleagues will perceive as respectful and professional and help you do your job.

One of the most bizarre work-culture trends in recent years is the theory that you should "bring your whole self to work."

Unless you're intentionally trying to annoy or confuse colleagues or sabotage your career, that is a terrible idea.

No one should bring their whole self to work.

This isn't because we're all secretly horrible people or because, at work, we have to act and look like automatons and bleach ourselves of any hint of personality and differentness.