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Unmasking at Work (with Adriana Vaccaro)
We all want to “be ourselves” at work… but many of us learned to survive by wearing masks: the high performer mask, the people-pleaser mask, the “I’m fine” mask. In this episode, Jess & Claude sit down with Adriana Vaccaro, CEO and Founder of Culture Redesigned, to unpack what masking actually is, why it happens, and how it quietly becomes your personal brand.
You’ll learn how to recognize when you’re masking, how psychological safety changes everything, and what leaders can do to create environments where people can show up as themselves. And we close with the question we all wonder: If unmasking feels risky, what’s the first mask you should take off without putting your job at risk?
In This Episode, We Cover
- What “masking” at work really looks like (and why it’s a brain-based defense mechanism)
- The connection between psychological safety and authenticity
- How to tell if you’re masking because something is unaligned vs unfamiliar
- Why “chameleon behavior” can feel safe—but cost you over time
- The manager’s role in shaping the emotional environment of a team
- How to build trust through consistent, clear, authentic communication
- Adriana’s safest “first unmasking step” when authenticity feels risky
Key Takeaways
- Unmasking isn’t an overnight change — it’s gradual and strategic.
- Psychological safety is the real opposite of masking.
- Your body often tells the truth first (fatigue, headaches, “the ick,” dread).
- Leaders must take responsibility for the environment they create.
- Trust grows when people experience you as consistent and authentic.
- A safe first step toward unmasking: stop people-pleasing and practice silence.
About Our Guest
Adriana Vaccaro is the CEO and Founder of Culture Redesigned. She blends behavioral science with real-world business leadership to help organizations and individuals turn values into actions that actually change outcomes.
Connect with Adriana
- Adriana Vaccaro, MBA | LinkedIn
- Culture Redesigned – Building Dream Teams
Work Besties Challenge (Try This This Week)
Pick one moment where you usually “fill the space” to keep things smooth.
Instead, pause for 3 seconds before responding. Practice silence without over-agreeing.
Send a text
You can watch the full episode on Youtube
Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn
Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes
Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband
View all episodes
By Work Besties Who PodcastWe all want to “be ourselves” at work… but many of us learned to survive by wearing masks: the high performer mask, the people-pleaser mask, the “I’m fine” mask. In this episode, Jess & Claude sit down with Adriana Vaccaro, CEO and Founder of Culture Redesigned, to unpack what masking actually is, why it happens, and how it quietly becomes your personal brand.
You’ll learn how to recognize when you’re masking, how psychological safety changes everything, and what leaders can do to create environments where people can show up as themselves. And we close with the question we all wonder: If unmasking feels risky, what’s the first mask you should take off without putting your job at risk?
In This Episode, We Cover
- What “masking” at work really looks like (and why it’s a brain-based defense mechanism)
- The connection between psychological safety and authenticity
- How to tell if you’re masking because something is unaligned vs unfamiliar
- Why “chameleon behavior” can feel safe—but cost you over time
- The manager’s role in shaping the emotional environment of a team
- How to build trust through consistent, clear, authentic communication
- Adriana’s safest “first unmasking step” when authenticity feels risky
Key Takeaways
- Unmasking isn’t an overnight change — it’s gradual and strategic.
- Psychological safety is the real opposite of masking.
- Your body often tells the truth first (fatigue, headaches, “the ick,” dread).
- Leaders must take responsibility for the environment they create.
- Trust grows when people experience you as consistent and authentic.
- A safe first step toward unmasking: stop people-pleasing and practice silence.
About Our Guest
Adriana Vaccaro is the CEO and Founder of Culture Redesigned. She blends behavioral science with real-world business leadership to help organizations and individuals turn values into actions that actually change outcomes.
Connect with Adriana
- Adriana Vaccaro, MBA | LinkedIn
- Culture Redesigned – Building Dream Teams
Work Besties Challenge (Try This This Week)
Pick one moment where you usually “fill the space” to keep things smooth.
Instead, pause for 3 seconds before responding. Practice silence without over-agreeing.
Send a text
You can watch the full episode on Youtube
Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn
Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes
Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband