You've probably worn one today without even realizing it.
The confident mask.
The always available mask.
The everything is fine mask.
Or maybe the hero,
The innocent,
The saint,
Or the realist.
These masks are part of how we survive leadership in high-pressure spaces.
They protect us from judgment.
They help us keep moving when we're tired.
They let us show up even when we're not okay.
But here's the thing no one tells you.
A mask can become heavy.
And when it sticks,
It can disconnect you from the real power,
Clarity,
And presence that your leadership and your life need.
I know how easy it is to believe if I drop the mask,
Everything will fall apart.
But over time,
The mask hides more than it protects.
It blurs the edges of your own needs.
It pushes you into burnout without you noticing.
For many of us in mission-driven leadership,
This isn't a personal failing.
It's a survival strategy shaped by our environments.
Limited resources.
Urgent missions.
The unspoken belief that sacrifice is proof of commitment.
And yet,
The leaders who create sustainable change aren't the ones who wear the mask the longest.
They're the ones who know when and how to take it off.
That's why I use the BRIDGE framework,
A process that helps leaders move from mask to mastery.
B is for beliefs.
Noticing the deep,
Often hidden stories you carry about leadership,
Worth,
And success.
R is for resilience.
Building a capacity to recover and stay grounded in the face of challenges.
I is for integration.
Aligning your actions with your values so your leadership doesn't feel like a performance.
D is for dynamics.
Understanding the relational patterns in your team and organization.
G is for growth.
Expanding your skills,
Confidence,
And vision without sacrificing your well-being.
And E is for energy.
Protecting and directing your mental,
Emotional,
And emotional well-being.
Emotional and physical energy toward what matters most.
Each step helps you notice where the mask is serving you and where it's starting to control you.
So here's a moment for you right now.
Close your eyes if you can.
Take one slow breath in and let it out.
Ask yourself,
Which mask have I been wearing most lately?
What would happen if I didn't need it today?
Where in my life do I feel most like myself?
There's no need to judge your answers.
Just notice them.
That noticing is the first step toward resilience.
If this reflection stirred something for you,
A memory,
A tension in your chest,
Maybe even relief,
That's your signal.
The mask has a story to tell you.
And in our Burnout Resilience course,
We unpack these four masks.
Hero,
Innocent,
Saint,
And realist.
Inside the bridge framework,
So you can lead with strength and stability.
Because the goal isn't to throw away the mask forever.
It's to choose when to wear it and when to let the world see you.
Fully,
Powerfully,
And without apology.
You
