What Works: Happy Halloween, What Masks Do You Wear?
They say the veil is thinnest between the spirit world and ours on Halloween. But today, I’d like to challenge you to examine another veil, the veil between what your mask communicates and who you are. Yes, today we are talking about authenticity. And for many leaders, this can be a scary topic (boo). But as the leader of yourself, or of a company, you owe it to yourself to ask this question. Am I in alignment with the mask I show to the world?
Thin your own veil for a bit as you sit in self-examination.
— How am I (or my company) portrayed to the world?
— What matters most to me (or my company)?
— Is there anything I (or my company) try to hide?
— Why do I try to hide that?
— Is there anything I wish I was communicating, or doing, and I’m not?
— What gaps exist between the mask I (or my company) wear for the world and reality?
This exercise can be used to improve on a few different levels. First, it can show you if you are truly expressing all that you are. Maybe there’s something of great value you are not sharing with the world. Maybe there’s something that matters to you that you aren’t doing for some reason. Time, budget, and even courage can stand in the way. It could be that you are hiding something. It could be a flaw or failure. This is a time to examine how you can be more transparent now so surprises don’t surface later.
When you identify the gaps, you can make a conscious decision about authenticity. Leaders are the most effective when they can lead by doing, clearing obstacles, and setting positive examples. Good self-leadership is about fearless consciousness and being willing to face what you find.
Again, this exercise might be scary. But it’s also scary effective! Give it a shot in your office this Halloween. You could scare your way into some new discovery and innovation. Tell me how it goes. The floor is yours, Carson City.
ABOUT DIANE DYE HANSEN
Diane Dye Hansen has more than 20 years of experience in communication and change management gained in the sectors of government, non-profit, healthcare, publishing, advertising, entertainment, and technology. Her Critical Opportunity Theory helps organizations and leaders turn challenge into opportunity through proper leadership and team communication.
She is the president and founder of What Works Consultants, Inc., a consulting firm which helps business leaders communicate when communication is hard. This is done through research, strategic communication planning, change management consulting, human resources recruitment and training. She is a columnist on CarsonNow.org. To meet her and learn how she and her team can help your company, visit What Works Consultants, Inc. online at www.whatworksconsultants.com.