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The Masks We Wear at Work
We’re all carrying something. Why do we hide it? And what is it costing us?
Lately, we’ve been thinking about the pain people are carrying.
Not the kind that’s easy to name in a Zoom room or fit into a slide deck. The quiet kind—the grief, the stress, the fear, the loneliness—that gets tucked behind smiles, spreadsheets, and Slack statuses.
The world feels heavy right now. Wars are ongoing, elections are looming, layoffs continue, and people are burned out, anxious, and unsure of what comes next. And yet—we show up to work. We perform. We try to hold it all together.
But how many of us are hiding just to survive the day?
We’re taught that professionalism means composure. But too often, it becomes a mask. A way to protect ourselves from judgment. A way to pretend we’re okay.
And leaders? We do this too. Sometimes even more. We hide our uncertainty, our overwhelm, our humanness—because somewhere along the way, we were taught that being “strong” means being invulnerable.
This week, we’re talking about the masks we wear at work—why we put them on, what it costs us, and what it might look like to lead without them.
Three Reflections on Leading Without the Mask
1. We’re Not Meant to Be Machines.
High-functioning doesn’t mean unfeeling. Somewhere along the line, we started equating professionalism with perfectionism—and it’s costing us our health, our joy, and our connection to others.
What to ask yourself:
Where am I pushing myself (or my team) to perform instead of pause? What would change if we prioritized presence over productivity—just for a moment?
2. The Strongest Leaders Make Space.
For truth. For complexity. For the hard conversations. The best leaders don’t just share wins—they share uncertainty with integrity. That’s what builds trust.
What to try:
At your next team meeting, open with a real check-in. Not “how’s everyone doing?”—but “what’s something real that’s been weighing on you or lighting you up lately?” Then go first.
3. You Can’t Lead Others If You’ve Abandoned Yourself.
Too many of us are so focused on proving we’re okay that we stop asking: Am I really okay? Leadership that doesn’t make space for your own humanity will eventually collapse under the weight of your silence.
What to remember:
Your team doesn’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. You are allowed to take care of yourself, too.
10-Minute Takeaway: A Mirror, Not a Mask
Take 10 minutes. Find a quiet moment. Ask yourself:
What part of me have I been hiding at work?
What mask am I still wearing that’s no longer serving me?
What do I need right now—not as a professional, but as a person?
If I were truly free of expectations—my own and others’—what would I do? What would I change? Who would I be?
Write it down. Don’t edit yourself. Just let it be true.
And if you’re brave enough, share it with someone you trust. You might be surprised by what opens up when you take off the mask.
What We’re Reading & Listening To This Week
1. Connection Over Perfection | Dr. Becky Kennedy on LinkedIn
In this powerful post, Dr. Becky reminds us that leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about showing up. Vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s the bridge to trust.
Read the full post.
2. Taking Responsibility Starts with Owning Your Impact | Sara Kuburic
Repair doesn’t require perfection—it requires honesty. This simple visual guide is a masterclass in emotional accountability and what it really sounds like to own your part. See the post.
3. The Cost of Running from Our Truth | The Tell by Amy Griffin
A haunting and unflinching story about the emotional toll of hiding. This novel explores the cost of silence, the complexity of shame, and the healing power of truth. (Trigger warning: SA). Explore the book.
4. John Green on Being Worthy of Love | Wild Card with Rachel Martin
Author and advocate John Green opens up about OCD, despair, and why hope is a choice he relearns daily. In one of the episode’s most moving moments, he reminds us:
“You're worthy of love. Maybe the only thing we’re worthy of is love… And so the fact that this is who you are, and [your struggles] are part of who you are, means that this is also worthy of love.”
A Dose of Humanity
She had blue skin, and so did he.
He kept it hid, and so did she.
They looked for blue their whole life through,
and passed right by, and never knew.
How many of us are hiding our “blue” at work—our struggles, our stories, our truth—thinking we’re the only ones? How much connection, ease, or belonging are we missing by keeping ourselves hidden?
You’re not alone. You never were.
Thank you for being here. Until next week,
The Humanity Studio Team
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