Masks

Masks are ways we pretend to be different than we truly are. A Mask can make us pretend and show up falsely or they can have us hold back or exaggerate what is natural. We take on Masks as young children to get the love and attention that we need. Masks served us then, but they don't serve us as adults - instead they cause us to feel tired, in pain, and unfulfilled. We can have Masks for any of our ThriveTypes.

Talent Masks have us try to prove we have a skill and capacity we don’t authentically have. We usually only reach moderate ability in this area despite great effort, and the Mask interferes with our ability to do what is authentic. Masks distract us from our true Talents, exhaust us, and actually push other people away. We can also have a Mask for a Talent that we really do have, and this will cause us to either overdo what is natural in an inauthentic and pushy way or avoid expressing our own gifts.

Wearing Talent Masks drives us to choose careers, employees, and relationships that are endlessly stressful and unrewarding. Typically the biggest shift a person can make is to recognize and release their Talent Masks and allow their authentic Talents to lead and shine.