#1 The Leader Unmasked: Stop Pretending & Find the Real You

The Leader Unmasked: Stop Pretending & Find the Real You

Feel like you’re leading with a mask to hide your struggles?

Stuck in a cycle of perfectionism or people-pleasing that’s burning you out?

This solo episode of The Leader Unmasked is your wake-up call. Host Angela Cox, a seasoned leadership coach, dives deep into the “silent middle”—high-functioning leaders quietly unraveling under pressure.

She unveils the four “Pretender Masks” (Perfectionist, People Pleaser, Persecutor of Self, Persecutor of Others) that keep you from leading authentically. Through her “Pretend Model,” Angela reveals how these masks, rooted in limiting beliefs, harm your health and leadership. Whether you’re a senior leader or an aspiring professional, this episode will inspire you to shed inauthentic behaviors and embrace your true self.

Get ready to discover how vulnerability can transform your leadership into a source of resilience and connection. Tune in to learn why unmasking is the key to leading well and living well.

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Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

1. Uncover the “Pretender Masks” holding you back and learn how to lead with authenticity.
2. Understand the “silent middle” and how to break free from burnout’s hidden toll.
3. Gain insights into the beliefs and values shaping your leadership for lasting change.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:03 – 00:00:56] Why the Podcast Rebranded: Angela shares the evolution from Mindset Mentor Meets to The Leader Unmasked, explaining her shift to focus on the deeper stories and beliefs beneath mindset that shape leadership.

[00:01:52 – 00:02:59] Introducing the Silent Middle: Angela defines the “silent middle”—leaders who function well but are quietly unraveling—and highlights the harm of masking struggles in leadership.

[00:03:52 – 00:08:49] The Pretender Masks: Angela breaks down the four “Pretender Masks” (Perfectionist, People Pleaser, Persecutor of Self, Persecutor of Others), detailing their exhausting impact on leaders’ health and effectiveness.

[00:23:56 – 00:26:44] A Call to Authentic Leadership: Angela urges listeners to share their struggles, align with their true values, and lead vulnerably to inspire others and build resilience.

Three Powerful Quotes:[00:08:49] “These are not your identity… They’re behaviors, protective behaviors that you have tried on earlier in your life. And it fitted, the mask fitted. And so you’ve just kept it on.”

[00:22:06] “If you’re feeling like you mask in some way, it is just something that has happened throughout your life to keep you safe… But you get to a point in life where you think, this just doesn’t work for me anymore.”

[00:26:44] “The most powerful leaders that I know have done the work, have taken the mask off. They’re not the loudest in the room. They’ve stopped performing. They’ve stopped pretending, and they’ve started showing up as themselves.”

About the Host:

Angela Cox, a transformative leadership coach with over a decade of experience, is on a mission to help leaders unmask their true potential. Having worked with hundreds of leaders worldwide, Angela brings a unique blend of empathy and insight to her coaching, guiding executives and aspiring leaders to shed inauthentic behaviors like perfectionism and people-pleasing.

Her journey from a corporate role to founding The Leader Unmasked stems from her own “enough moment” in 2018, when she left behind the masks that fueled burnout. Angela’s “Pretend Model” and focus on the “silent middle” empower leaders to uncover the beliefs and values shaping their leadership, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience.

As the host of The Leader Unmasked, she shares stories and strategies to help leaders lead well, live well, and stay well by being their authentic selves.

Connect with Angela on LinkedIn or visit https://paseda360.com/ to learn more about her coaching programs.

Enjoy this Podcast?

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To meeting inspiration,

Angela