Are you showing up as your authentic self at work and in life or are you wearing a mask of who you think others want you to be?
Every Halloween, we celebrate the fun of dressing up—slipping into a different role for a night and pretending to be someone else. That’s fun for a night, but many of us spend far too much energy wearing invisible masks every day. We adapt, adjust, and filter ourselves in hopes of fitting in—in hopes of getting that job or promotion or whatever we think it is that will bring us happiness. And while flexibility is healthy—it helps us connect and collaborate—there’s a fine line between adapting and hiding.
It’s Not About Changing Who You Are
You don’t need to reinvent yourself for every situation. Authenticity doesn’t mean refusing to bend; it means knowing who you are well enough to flex without losing your center. When you show up as your authentic self at work and in life—with your unique mix of strengths, quirks, and limitations—you not only start to create the life you love, you also give others permission to do the same.
Our individuality isn’t meant to isolate us; it’s meant to strengthen the collective. The more we bring our real gifts forward, the more we grow and discover why we’re here and what we bring to the world.
How You See Yourself vs. How Others See You
Ask yourself: What matters more—how you see yourself, or how others see you?
There’s truth in both. If you view yourself as a great listener, yet others experience you as someone who never shares your own thoughts, there’s a disconnect. And if others see you as endlessly available while you feel constantly drained, that’s a signal to check your boundaries.
Authenticity isn’t just about being nice or staying consistent; it’s about alignment—living so that your inner self and outer expression tell the same story.
When you embrace your authentic self at work, you bring that same alignment into your professional world—creating better communication, stronger relationships, and more meaningful results.
We often lean on tools like DISC, Enneagram, or StrengthsFinder to describe ourselves—and they are wonderful guides. But what they’re really showing us isn’t fixed personality; it’s behavior.
You and I both have moments when we act from our best, most intentional selves—and moments when stress, fear, or fatigue pull us into reaction mode.
- Intentional behavior reflects who you want to be.
- Reactive behavior reveals where you still have room to grow.
The key is awareness. Either you define you, or your reactions do.
Define Yourself Intentionally
When I define myself intentionally, I see traits like driven, collaborative, and innovative. When I react out of stress, those same traits can twist into impatient, controlling, or argumentative.
The difference isn’t who I am—it’s how I’m showing up.
That’s why it’s vital to hold on to the deeper truths: you are powerful, significant, loved. Behavior describes what you do; identity defines who you are.
From Mask to Mirror
Every interaction is a chance to refine who you want to become. When you lead with love, grace, joy, and beauty—even after missing the mark—you transform your mask into a mirror, one that reflects light instead of hiding it.
So this Halloween, while you watch the costumes parade by, ask yourself:
“Am I wearing any masks I’ve outgrown?”
Maybe it’s the mask of control. Maybe it’s the mask of people-pleasing. Maybe it’s simply the mask of who you thought you needed to be.
Whatever it is—take it off. Let the real you breathe. Because the world doesn’t need another perfectly polished costume. It needs you—the vibrant, growing, one-of-a-kind original that only you can be.
The Real Trick—and Treat—of Authenticity
Understanding who you are and shining a light on it isn’t just a feel-good exercise. It’s the foundation of everything you create—in work, relationships, and life. When you stop hiding behind what you think others want and start embracing your authentic self at work and beyond, the path forward becomes clearer.
That’s where you find (or create) work and a life you love—not by wearing a mask, but by showing up as your authentic self, living out your values, and using your natural strengths to make an impact.
If you’d like a fun, insightful way to discover what makes you you, the 48 Days Personality Assessment is the perfect place to start. In celebration of dropping the masquerade, grab your online assessment today—and uncover the true strengths behind your mask.
And if you’re ready to jump in with the full support of a growth-minded community, apply to join us in The 48 Days Eagle Alliance, where we are focusing on creating a personal vision of who we want to become and what we want to bring to the world based on who we really are and the gifts we have.
You might just find the treats are far richer than anything you can fit in a plastic pumpkin.
