The Mask You Wear at Work: Roles, Identity & Liberation

Many of us unconsciously perform roles at work—“the fixer,” “the quiet one,” “the emotional support,” “the reliable operator.” These roles are often reinforced by praise, bias, or unspoken expectations, and while they can provide comfort or validation, they can also become invisible prisons that limit our growth, authenticity, and voice. This session invites participants to pause and reflect on the ‘mask’ they wear at work, understand the systemic and interpersonal forces that shape it, and explore what it might mean to step outside those roles—without losing connection or credibility. It blends insights from adaptive leadership, identity theory, and liberatory design, offering participants both critical awareness and practical tools to reclaim agency in how they show up professionally.