The Cost of Masking: Why Authenticity Drives Performance

What masking can look like

Masking means hiding natural behaviors to appear more normal or socially acceptable. At work, this might look like forcing eye contact, copying others’ communication styles, pretending not to be overwhelmed, or spending energy trying not to seem different.

Masking can help someone survive socially, but it has a cost.

Why it affects performance

When a person spends most of their energy managing appearances, they have less energy left for problem-solving, creativity, memory, and focus. A workplace may see someone as high functioning while the person is privately exhausted.

Separate impact from style

Psychological safety does not mean every workplace behavior is acceptable. It means managers should separate impact from style before making assumptions.

• Instead of “You seem disengaged,” try “Is there a better way for you to share input?”
• Instead of “Your tone is too blunt,” try “The message was useful. Let’s work on how it may land with this audience.”

Make room for choice

Imagine a colleague who contributes detailed written analysis but says little in live discussions. A manager can invite that analysis before a meeting and credit it when the team makes a decision. The colleague should not have to explain their identity or perform a more outgoing style for the contribution to count.

Do not make openness another demand

Let people choose what they share and which social situations they join. An invitation to be authentic can feel like pressure if it comes with questions about private experiences. Ask about the working arrangement instead: “Would written input or a smaller discussion work better here?” Respect the answer, including a preference to keep things as they are.