The Masks We Wear – Staying True in the Workplace

Have you ever experienced being seated in a car before putting on a ‘work mask’ that shows your confidence, composure, and can-do attitude? If so, congratulations, we are in the same boat. I have also lived that moment.

Every morning, we not only put on formal attire but also expectations. What expectations, you ask? The pressure to perform, the need to prove ourselves, and the silent battles we fight alone. We walk into offices, boardrooms, and job sites not as our complete selves but as altered versions of who we believe we need to be just to get through the day.

But what happens when that mask becomes too heavy to carry? What happens when the pressure to be someone you do not start breaking you from the inside out? Let’s explore:

Why We Wear Masks at Work

Many people don’t just work to earn money but to survive and thrive in their workplaces. Sure, that’s not wrong, but if they are pretending with their actions, that’s where the trouble begins. First, it’s important to understand the reasons they decided to wear masks at work:

Fear of Judgment: When you don’t match the general standard, people judge, ignore, or even punish you.
The Need for Approval – We prefer validation by changing ourselves to fit others’ expectations, mistaking approval for success.
Corporate Culture Pressure- Workplaces expect you to fit in. You choose your words to escape misunderstandings and alter your reactions to keep others comfortable.

And let’s be honest, it’s exhausting. Carrying the weight of expectations, repeatedly proving yourself, and still feeling stuck— it wears you down.

The Hidden Price of Pretending

Pretending to be someone else drains your energy. It leads you to question your self-worth. Furthermore, it keeps you trapped in a cycle of trying, proving, and never feeling like it’s enough to end.

Emotional Exhaustion

Smiling when you want to scream. Holding back your true thoughts in meetings. Agreeing upon agreement when you are capable of challenging the status quo.

Burnout and Resentment

How long can you keep running on empty? How long can you suppress your true self before the pressure cracks you?

As I have mentioned in one of my famous Self Help books, ‘Your pain isn’t a weakness. It’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s evidence of every battle you’ve fought.”

Lost Opportunities for Growth

The more you focus on playing a role, the less you invest in your true potential. Believing you’ve reached your limit prevents you from what’s truly possible.

Staying True to Yourself in the Workplace

So, how do you drop the mask and show up as your authentic self?

1. Recognize the Mask

Before you can take it off, you have to acknowledge it.

What parts of yourself do you suppress at work?
How often do you hold back your ideas out of fear?
What emotions do you hide to appear “professional”?

Denial keeps us stuck. The longer we ignore the truth about who we are and what we want, the harder it becomes to change. Growth begins the moment we acknowledge our struggles, fears, and aspirations.

2. Challenge the Fear

Fear is what keeps the mask in place. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of not being enough. But here’s the truth: Fear is a liar. So,

Speak up in meetings, even if your voice shakes.
Set boundaries, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
Own your strengths instead of neglecting them.

3. Redefine Success

Success isn’t about fitting in; it’s about making an impact. So, instead of believing the lie of being thankful, it’s better to demand the recognition you deserve.

4. Find Your Tribe

You can’t do this alone. It’s better to surround yourself with people who prefer authenticity and are capable enough to challenge the system and remind you that you’re enough as you are.

5. Own Your Story

Your experiences, struggles, and successes make you who you are. The moment you accept them, you take back your power.

Conclusion

Your workplace doesn’t need another perfect professional. It requires real people who are bold, unfiltered, and proudly themselves. Dropping the mask doesn’t mean leaving professionalism. Instead, it means bringing your authentic self to the work. So take off the mask. Stand tall. Speak your truth.

If you’re ready to embrace your true self either at work or anywhere else, I recommend you to read one of the famous Self Help Books by Donald Archey, like Don’t Give Up, You’re Almost There, which provides the motivation and tools to make that change real.