Leadership = Authenticity. What Mask Are you Wearing?

When I was 10 years old, I was Sneezy dwarf in our local skating carnival production of Snow White. 🎭

My costume included a mask with very small eye holes and long pointed shoes that strapped over top of my skates. ⛸️⛸️ I still remember the smell of the inside of that mask.

Right in the middle of our moment in the spotlight, 🔦I tripped on the shoe and fell flat on the ice. My mask went askew and although it felt like I stood up with lightening speed, I couldn't orient myself, nor could I see where everyone else had gone in our routine. 👀

If I'd just taken the mask off to see where I was going, it would have made things so much easier, but I didn't feel like I could step out of character, nor call out to anyone for help.

Instead, I floundered around on the ice and missed several key 🗝️ moments in the program.

How often do we do this? Holding up appearances? Steadfastly keeping up a facade?

It takes courage, but where might you take off your mask and be more authentic?

Don't let your inner critic run the show.