Here we are in another Zoom meeting, a grid of faces staring at us on the screen. A leader pauses before contributing.
“What will this look like?” he thinks. “I want people to think I’m a smart, good person.” He calculates. He chooses. He acts – even if that action is to remain silent.
So begins The Act. It’s an unspoken – and often unconscious – choice to put on a show for those around us, to manage how they think about us. So that they will approve of us or conform to us.
We all know this game. We also know it’s superficial and boring because it is so common. The really interesting work is becoming the kind of person who is admirable and influential for the good of others no matter what people think.
Then we’re not acting. We’re just being.
