“You must see the creation of a persona as a key element in social intelligence, not something evil or demonic.”

Mastery, Chapter 4, Social Intelligence

In the theatre of life, each of us inevitably assumes roles, donning masks that shift and adapt to the demands of our surroundings.

This is not an act of deception, nor a betrayal of authenticity—it is the natural and necessary dance of social interaction.

From the boardroom to the dinner table, the classroom to the crowded street, we modify our expressions, language, and behaviour to suit the setting.

Therefore, what separates the socially intelligent from the socially awkward is not whether they wear a mask, but whether they understand the process and take control of it.

To consciously create a persona is to step into the role of both actor and director.