Removing the MASK in Leadership

The costumes are ready. The candy's been purchased. That can only mean one thing...

Halloween is tomorrow!

Halloween is a holiday where we embrace costumes and disguises, letting us step into roles we wouldn't usually play. You can dress up as something terrifying and grisly, wear a fun couple's costume, or find your perfect pairing by wearing something niche and seeing who gets it.

However, in the workplace, disguises, especially the ones we wear as leaders, can get in the way of genuine connection. When leaders mask who they truly are, it can stunt their growth and prevent them from building authentic, trusting relationships with their teams.

While it's natural to put on a professional face, hiding behind a "MASK" can create barriers to open communication and erode team trust. Let's look at what it means to MASK in leadership, why it's important to remove the MASK in the office, and how leaders can embody authenticity without losing professional presence.

What does it mean to MASK in leadership?

Many leaders feel pressure to act in ways that might not come naturally. Some look up to high-profile executives, mimicking their qualities or strategies, while others try to embody characteristics of a favorite former manager. But what if those qualities don’t align with your own strengths and personality? Attempting to wear a “mask” of someone else’s leadership style can create a disconnect with both yourself and your team.

You can certainly aim to improve your leadership by learning and growing. But you can't pretend to be someone you aren't.

For instance, an introverted leader newly promoted to a position with greater visibility might feel compelled to adopt a more extroverted, boisterous persona. However, when leaders try to force themselves into roles that don’t match their nature, it tends to come across as inauthentic. Team members notice when a leader’s behavior doesn’t align with their genuine personality, and this disconnect can prevent trust from forming.

Imagine you’re that newly promoted leader who happens to be a natural introvert. Your strengths lie in listening, reflecting, and thoughtful planning, but you feel you need to embody a more outgoing style. Rather than forcing a complete change, focus on a few small adjustments to balance your personality with the role’s demands:

• Greet team members in the morning: Start with simple gestures, like welcoming employees as they come into the office, even if it feels outside your comfort zone.
• Occasionally choose face-to-face interactions: If email is your go-to for communication, try calling an employee into your office for an in-person discussion from time to time.

By taking these small steps, you maintain authenticity while showing your team you’re invested in connecting, even in ways that stretch you.

The Impact of MASKing on Team Dynamics

When leaders habitually mask their true identity or adopt a persona that doesn’t match who they are, it creates a ripple effect throughout the organization. Employees sense when they’re interacting with a version of their leader rather than the real person. This makes it hard for them to form a meaningful connection, leading to disengagement and a lack of trust.

Here’s why masking can damage team dynamics:

1. Authenticity Loss: Teams often thrive when they feel connected to their leaders. When a leader masks their personality, employees might feel like they’re interacting with an actor rather than a real person, weakening the personal connection.
2. Decreased Engagement: When employees don’t trust or fully understand their leaders, engagement can suffer. People are less likely to go the extra mile or feel committed to a team where the leader isn’t truly present.
3. Disconnected Work Culture: A team is only as cohesive as the sense of inclusion, meaningful work, trust and mutual understanding that hold them together. When leaders mask their true selves, they model inauthenticity, and that culture of disguise may trickle down to the rest of the team, weakening cohesion and alignment with shared goals.

Strategies for Authentic Leadership

This Halloween, commit to removing the MASK. Instead of hiding behind an assumed role, focus on bringing out your true self with these strategies. Let’s break down the MASK acronym as a guide to leading authentically:

Make clear boundaries. Creating boundaries is essential for a respectful, productive workplace. Define what’s appropriate, clarify expectations, and ensure employees know they’re in a safe, structured environment where they can do their best work. Clear boundaries help both leaders and team members feel secure, enabling leaders to show up authentically without fear of overstepping.

Allow open communication. Encouraging open communication allows teams to speak freely without fear of judgment or retribution. When you foster a culture of open dialogue, you demonstrate that all voices matter, including your own. Transparency in leadership encourages transparency within the team, allowing everyone to be open about successes, setbacks, and areas of growth.

Set the example. Authenticity starts at the top. By showing up as your true self, you set an example for your team to follow. When you’re willing to admit mistakes, share your thoughts, or express gratitude, you empower others to do the same. This is crucial for building a foundation of trust and vulnerability in your team, which are key ingredients for a cohesive and productive culture.

Keep authenticity at the forefront. Lastly, make authenticity your guiding principle. Leadership is about showing up, flaws and all. Emphasize honesty, own your unique strengths, and don’t be afraid to let your true personality come through. When you lead with authenticity, you allow employees to do the same, fostering a work environment where everyone feels valued and seen.

This Halloween, commit to removing the MASK, not the terrifying Michael Myers mask, but the ones we wear daily into the office. Embrace the qualities that make you a unique leader. It’s these traits that inspire others, not a disguise.

By setting clear boundaries, allowing open communication, setting an example, and keeping authenticity at the forefront, we can foster a culture of openness, trust, and cohesion in the workplace.

Remember, authenticity is not a seasonal costume. It’s a daily commitment to yourself and to those you lead. This Halloween, as you hand out candy and enjoy the costumes, take a moment to consider the “masks” you may be wearing in your professional life and consider setting them aside. You’ll find that leading with authenticity creates a stronger, more connected team, and ultimately, a more fulfilling leadership journey.

If you have ever struggled with letting go of control, you'll relate to this. After years of running my own businesses, I've learned that delegation is a chance to build trust, foster growth, and elevate my team. In the latest Leading On Purpose newsletter, I share my journey in shifting my mindset, using tech for efficient onboarding, and seeing the bigger picture beyond the need for perfection.

Click here to discover how letting others step up can ultimately drive your business forward!

Dr. Troy

Recognized as Talent Retention Expert of the Year by International Association of Top Professionals , Top Business Leader by Valiant CEO Magazine , a Brainz Magazine 500 Global Award recipient, featured on The Today Show, ABC, the Global BV-TV Network, Beyond the Business Radio Show, and CEO World, Dr. Troy Hall is an award-winning talent retention consultant, international?speaker, and author of the bestselling titles; Cohesion Culture: Proven Principles to Retain Your Top Talent , and Fanny Rules: A Mother’s Leadership Lessons That Never Grow Old . As the founder of Cohesion Culture? , Dr. Troy has dedicated his career to establishing a cycle of culture wellness in the corporate and professional sphere.?His consulting and executive coaching engagements are built on the strategic framework of Cohesion Culture?, making the concepts of belonging, value, and shared commitment easy for organizations to adopt and implement.