The Mask You Wear—and the Power You Lose by Holding Onto It

Whether you realize it or not, we are constantly wearing masks. Not the obvious kind, but the polished, pleasing, performative one. The one shaped by early conditioning, corporate culture, or the need to be seen as credible, competent, or strong.

In Jungian terms, this mask is known as the persona, a psychological tool we use to navigate the world. It helps us function socially and professionally. But when we over-identify with it, the persona stops being a tool… and starts being a trap.

When the Persona Takes Over

The persona isn’t the problem. The problem is the attachment to it.

We confuse who we are with how we’ve learned to appear. We become rigid in roles; Leader, Mother, Fixer, Performer, Achiever, and start editing ourselves to maintain them.

That’s when we lose energy, clarity, and access to our full range.

You may notice:

• A disconnection between how you feel and how you act

• Fatigue after constantly “keeping it together”

• A pressure to be consistent, even when you’ve changed

• A sense that your leadership is effective, but not fulfilling

• You feel that how you are showing up is no longer sustainable

The deeper issue isn’t performance. It’s the internal belief that you have to be someone specific in order to belong, succeed, or be taken seriously.

True Power Is Fluid, Not Fixed

Here’s what often gets missed in conversations about authenticity: You are not your persona. And you don’t need to cling to a fixed identity to lead powerfully.

In fact, the most authentic leaders are the ones who know they can shift, with presence, not pretense.

This is where real freedom lives:

• The freedom to be firm or soft, depending on what’s needed

• The freedom to pause and pivot, rather than defend and push

• The freedom to evolve—and let your leadership evolve with you

You’re not here to perfect a version of yourself. You’re here to show up fully- moment to moment- with choice, not compulsion.

A Practice for Reclaiming Your Range

Try this: The next time you catch yourself trying to "hold it together" or fit a role, pause and ask:

“Is this who I truly need to be right now, or just who I’ve trained myself to be?”

This one question can create just enough space to shift from default to deliberate.

And in that space you may meet the part of you that doesn’t need a mask at all because she trusts herself to adapt, lead, and respond with depth and truth. Awareness is the key that unlocks the door to this path. Are you willing to unlock it?