MASK-My Authentic Self I Know
Sheila Vishwanath
An enthusiastic Learning and Development Specialist with experience in Learning Strategy & Solutions design, Organizational development initiatives, Talent Management & Organizing Assessment Centers. Active guest blogger
The other day my 6 year old neighbor went for a birthday party. I bumped into her at the gate and she flaunted her return gift. What do you think it was? absolutely right the face mask. While it was a very thoughtful gift, I was in laughter because I remember getting spider man, batman and Barbie masks while I was young. The irony is while it is still masks today, it has got substituted with a face mask.
This brings us to an important point What do we do when we are challenged or threatened? We wear a mask. In yesteryears as a kid if I wore a spiderman or batman mask and it made me feel like a superhero. I was ready to challenge my enemy. In today’s world a face mask is worn because I am threatened by the virus- truly a deadly enemy.
Moral of the story: You wear a mask when you feel challenged. Folks ask yourself, how often and how long do you wear masks in your workplace? Is it because you can’t be your authentic self or is it because you feel better equipped to deal with challenges.
While you introspect and discover your answer. Remember a mask can take you only that far, unless the transformation is from within, you will never be strong enough to fight the enemy. Thus, always KNOW YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE.
Executive Director - India Operations | IIM Ahmedabad | Data Science | Black Belt | LEAN | COPC | ECIL |Risk and Compliance
4 年Nice read Sheila. Indeed, transformation should come from within ..
Learning & Development I Training - JindalX
4 年Another beautiful read Sheila?? Inside out transformation indeed!!.
L&D, OD, Talent Management, DE&I, Mentoring and Coaching
4 年Good choice of topic. Couldn't agree more on being your authentic self. The fight is from within. and guess what? The enemy is not an outsider. It's your own self. In my mind it's not that you can't be authentic. It's the choices we make and chose to blame others/circumstances and play the victim card. The transformation from within begins when we chose to be a player and win our own internal battles first. And if we do that we might discover that there are no external enemies or factors inhibiting us anymore and the mask is no longer needed.
Strategic HR Leader | Shaping Meaningful Workplace Experiences | Driving People & Business Success | Promoting Holistic Well-Being & Personal Growth
4 年Nice! Thought provoking and good analogy