Comments on: Taking the Mask Off http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/09/14/taking-the-mask-off/ By Meryl Runion and SpeakStrong, Inc. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:04:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Kathleen http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/09/14/taking-the-mask-off/#comment-315 Kathleen Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:32:17 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/09/14/taking-the-mask-off/#comment-315 Although leaving the mask off sometimes gets me a little static in my life from time to time, I have to say overall I am an advocate of taking or leaving the mask off. What I have found is that it gives other people around me permission to take their masks off too. They are often grateful for the creation of that atmosphere and we enjoy a much more relaxed work area together. But for those who may be young and/or inexperienced in the larger world, I would add a caution. The caution would be not to confuse "taking the mask off" with "letting it all hang out". In the work place, things you say, or images you project of yourself, may live far longer in coworkers' memories than they do in your own repertoire of behaviours. Although leaving the mask off sometimes gets me a little static in my life from time to time, I have to say overall I am an advocate of taking or leaving the mask off. What I have found is that it gives other people around me permission to take their masks off too. They are often grateful for the creation of that atmosphere and we enjoy a much more relaxed work area together.

But for those who may be young and/or inexperienced in the larger world, I would add a caution. The caution would be not to confuse “taking the mask off” with “letting it all hang out”. In the work place, things you say, or images you project of yourself, may live far longer in coworkers’ memories than they do in your own repertoire of behaviours.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/09/14/taking-the-mask-off/#comment-295 Stephanie Fri, 15 Sep 2006 07:26:50 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2006/09/14/taking-the-mask-off/#comment-295 I had a really bad day at work yesterday and was feeling pretty low when I got into the office this morning. However, I just read your posting 'taking the mask off' and it really struck a chord with me. Thank you - I really needed the reminder that perfection is not necessarily what I need to be about. I had a really bad day at work yesterday and was feeling pretty low when I got into the office this morning. However, I just read your posting ‘taking the mask off’ and it really struck a chord with me. Thank you - I really needed the reminder that perfection is not necessarily what I need to be about.

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