Marc Andreessen believes you don’t need to share everything about yourself at work.
In a post on X over the weekend, the renowned venture capitalist spoke out against the idea of “bringing your whole self to work.” He emphasized that certain personal aspects should not be shared in the workplace or elsewhere.
“Keep your full self at home where it belongs and conduct yourself professionally and maturely at work and in public,” Andreessen, cofounder and general partner of Andreessen Horowitz, wrote.
He isn’t alone in rejecting this idea. Workplace norms on topics like office attire, remote work, and diversity are changing, especially since the pandemic.
Megan Reitz, coauthor of Speak Out, Listen Up, said that although the concept of bringing your full self to work may seem appealing, especially for employees who want to feel valued by their employers, it often has its boundaries.
“When managers say, ‘Bring your whole self to work,’ they often don’t clarify the limitations that come with it,” Reitz said.
These conditions could involve sensitive topics like politics. In April, Google fired over 20 employees who protested at its California and New York offices. CEO Sundar Pichai told employees that some actions were not suitable for the workplace.
“This is a business, not a place to disrupt coworkers or debate politics,” he said in a memo.
Andreessen’s comments come after a divisive U.S. election. In a podcast episode, Andreessen and his cofounder Ben Horowitz celebrated Donald Trump’s reelection, calling it a response to the “repression” they felt under the Biden administration.
Ella Washington, a Georgetown University professor, noted that the concept of bringing your full self to work gained traction during the 2010s. However, she pointed out that this idea must be balanced with a company’s culture and policies.
“While the intention is to promote authenticity, the reality is that most workplaces expect you to keep personal matters aside,” Washington explained. “It’s recommended that you bring your professional self, not your whole self.”
Washington believes that workplace leaders should set clear guidelines on what’s acceptable, so employees can decide if their personal values align with the company’s. She emphasized that work shouldn’t be about personal politics.
Jake Telkamp, a business professor at Augusta University, also pointed out that political discussions at work can lead to frustration and reduce teamwork. He said it’s better to focus on making people feel valued, regardless of their political views.
Telkamp stated, “When individuals feel valued, it helps minimize the negative impact of having both liberals and conservatives on the same team.”
