Taking Off the Mask: The Fear of Being My Authentic Self in Business
- Rachel Giordano
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
For years, I’ve built a career in media, storytelling, and content creation. I know how to shape a narrative, how to position a brand, how to make something resonate. But when it comes to my own identity—who I am at my core—it’s been a different story.
In a recent conversation with Jeff Dauler, I finally admitted something out loud that I’ve struggled with for years: I’m afraid to be my real, unfiltered self in business.
The Mask We Wear
We all do it, right? We show up in ways we think will be the most “acceptable” to clients, colleagues, and the industry we’re in. We fine-tune our personalities to fit a mold that feels safe. We hide the quirks, the opinions, the things that make us truly us—out of fear that they’ll make us unhirable, unrelatable, or even unprofessional.
But here’s the thing: playing it safe is exhausting. And more than that—it’s unsustainable.
The Pressure to Perform
Jeff and I talked about the performance aspect of our careers—how, especially in media and content creation, there’s an unspoken expectation to always be “on.” To be the version of ourselves that is the most marketable. The most likable. The least controversial.
But what does that cost us? Creativity? Joy? The ability to attract the right opportunities instead of just any opportunities?
Letting Go and Trusting the Right People Will Find You
This is where the shift happens. What if, instead of worrying about who we might lose by being ourselves, we focused on who we might gain?
The people who get it. The clients who align with our values. The partnerships that don’t just tolerate our authenticity, but celebrate it.
That’s where the real magic happens. Not when we conform, but when we show up fully.
My Challenge to You (and to Myself)
If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink yourself to fit into a box, I see you. But what if we stop trying to fit in and start standing out—intentionally, unapologetically?
Because the truth is, our people will find us—not despite our authenticity, but because of it.
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