Pre-Halloween: Unmasking Your Hidden Strengths
- Christopher Dotson
- Oct 22
- 2 min read
The best leaders don’t hide behind masks; they show up with the strengths that matter most.
Leadership can feel like a costume party sometimes. We wear the mask of the “always in control” manager, the “perfect performer,” or the “problem solver” who never falters.
And just like Halloween, the more we try to hide behind these personas, the further we drift from our authentic strengths.
Before Halloween’s costume parade, consider this:
What authentic strength are you hiding behind your professional persona?
I see it all the time in my coaching sessions. Leaders come to me exhausted, not from the work itself, but from performing roles that aren’t aligned with their natural talents.
You might be strategic, empathetic, or inspiring, but instead, you’re wearing a mask that says you’re a perfectionist, a fixer, or the one who always has the answers.
Here’s the problem:
Your team doesn’t need the mask you wear; they need your true talents.
When you lead from authenticity, several things happen:
Trust deepens. People sense authenticity. They follow leaders who are real, who own their strengths and weaknesses.
Energy is sustained. Performing roles that don’t align with your natural strengths drains you. Showing up as yourself actually multiplies your impact.
Collaboration improves. Your team can mirror your authenticity and bring their best talents to the table.
So how do you start unmasking?
Reflect on your daily leadership moments. When do you feel most effective and engaged? Which of your natural talents are shining through?
Notice where you perform. Are there moments when you feel like you’re “acting” instead of leading? Ask yourself: what strength am I hiding behind this mask?
Reinforce authenticity through action. Align your tasks, interactions, and team responsibilities with your hidden or underutilized strengths. Lead from your natural edge, not from expectation.
This week, I challenge you to peek behind your leadership mask. Identify one hidden strength you haven’t been fully showing your team and intentionally apply it in a key interaction.
When leaders embrace their authentic strengths, the ripple effect is enormous: increased engagement, stronger team performance, and a culture where people thrive. Leadership becomes less about performing and more about impacting with intention.
Ready to uncover your hidden strengths and lead with real impact?
Our Enterprise Leadership Development Program guides leaders to identify, unmask, and amplify their authentic strengths, creating alignment, engagement, and sustainable results.
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