STORIES

Eliminating the nonessential masks that hold us back is key to becoming a great leader. This is brilliantly illustrated in this new book from Michael Brody-Waite.

I love the approach Michael’s taken with this book. Just like addiction, he does not say that implementing these 3 principles work as a quick fix, rather it’s something to do every day- even on the days when we don’t feel like it.

There’s a section in the book- that would appeal to most readers on getting the work done and it starts by learning about the Masks we wear…if anyone is patient and honest enough, I believe it’s quite revealing about the struggles we face daily.

Towards the end, Michael asked something that I have never been asked directly but coming from Kenya- I’ve often asked of all the politicians and those in power who’ve stolen public funds or enriched themselves in public offices, he asks “What’s your Enough?” and just like that I am re-evaluating my purpose and goals in life.

I just moved to LA and had a job interview today. During the interview, I explained how I overcame anxiety and OCD and am sober. The person I was interviewing with said, “I have also had anxiety and am always scared to tell people, thank you for being so refreshing!” Needless to say, I got the job! BEING AUTHENTIC ALWAYS WINS!! 🙂

I’m using Michael’s teachings and the 3 Principles to gain more confidence, as I am a newly qualified mental health nurse. I’m in the UK but just like the USA, there is an emphasis on leadership in nursing (that I wasn’t aware of!). This is something that I have to learn and something that I am aware of has been a skill that I have needed to learn a lot of my life so far. I’m trying to take inspiration from you to change myself. Self-doubt seems to affect me a lot and interferes with my work as a nurse at times. I have had therapy a few times and I’m aware of what I can control, such as mindfulness skills and CBT techniques to retrain my brain, but this is not an overnight job. So I continue. I want to change and develop as a person and I know I can develop these skills further.

I entered treatment and I am currently over 60 days clean from being a crystal meth user. As a part of my movement from an Intensive Outpatient Program to the General Outpatient Program, I was required to give a presentation and relapse prevention plan. My presentation included presenting your TEDx. I just wanted to express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for your work in helping addicts. I have started a small movement that has inspired therapists and case managers involved at the treatment center to start considering how to practice your 3 Principles! You have no idea how much you’ve impacted my life.

I’m a police officer and also run a nonprofit that gives people more opportunity to be successful in life to give them less of a desire to commit crimes. I spend my downtime between calls seeking out homeless and asking what their needs are. I met a couple today. He’s 33, addicted to heroin. She’s 30, addicted to meth. I don’t know what that’s like, but you do, so I am sharing your TEDx talk and 3 Principles with them. I’ve shown it to so many people. You help me help others. Thank you.

I had the privilege of attending the Mask-Free workshop and it was a very rewarding and eye-opening experience. Since the workshop, I’ve been able to regain control of my time and reduce the amount of stress and anxiety that we sometimes carry as leaders. One thing that I do much better now after attending the workshop is telling people no. I had this idea that if I told people no, they would think I was a jerk, an asshole or conceited. I also thought that my success was tied to what somebody else did. I thought I was always one meeting, one conversation, one networking event away from the big break that I needed. I had my success tied to what other people gave me, what they said about me, or what opportunity they created. I realized that my success is not tied to other people, whether they said good things or bad things, my success is tied to how I lead, how I create and how I work. Part of me being able to do that effectively is owning my time – I can tell people no. Sometimes what people want out of a relationship just doesn’t align and it’s not good for me as a super busy guy to take a meeting that’s unnecessary. It’s also not good for the other person – if I’m not able to produce what they need, they’ve wasted an hour out of their day as well. This is a liberating experience. You can reclaim time, concentrate on things that are most important. The experience from the Mask-Free workshop reduces stress. I’ve always been worried about what people thought – I’m supposed to be the leader, what if I mess up and then people aren’t going to respect me? That’s just not true. People want authentic relationships whether it’s a working relationship or a personal relationship. I believe that people actually work harder and are more creative when you give them a safe space to experience and explore and create awesome solutions. When you’re so caught up in trying to be perfect or trying to outwork or try to act like you know everything, that’s a virus. And that’s contagious. Then, everybody walks around with that particular mask on and it’s nonproductive. Being able to be free as an entrepreneur and as a leader, to know that I don’t have to have all the right answers, that I don’t have to be perfect, has allowed other people to realize that they don’t have to be perfect and they can work harder with less pressure. Michael, I’m extremely grateful for the experience and I’m super excited for you. I really believe that the work you’re doing is really going to change the way people work and the way that they lead. We recognize that mental health is a huge problem that we need to be more aware of, and I think that the work that you do will not only produce stronger leaders and more productive teams but also it also reduces stress and helps improve our mental health. Thank you for the work you are doing, I wish you and your team continued success

Michael’s talk was really interesting because usually, you don’t think about drug addicts and leaders in the same context. But, the way he talked about it was so powerful. He was talking about how drug addicts need to take off the mask to get clean, and great leaders need to do the same. To me, that really resonated because we talked about the different ways that leaders could have masks and one of the ways is by being a “Yes Man” and saying yes to everything even if you don’t have time or you don’t want to do it, and I feel like that’s something I do a lot. So, to me, learning to take off that mask and be authentic is what a great leader is. And I found this message to be unique because he was so truthful and so authentic himself when he was giving the speech and I really learned a lot and I feel like a better leader because of it.

We hired Michael as the opening keynote speaker for our Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Summit in Washington, DC. He brought energy and enthusiasm that was perfect for setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. If you want someone who can not only inspire but also connect on a real level with your audience, I highly recommend hiring Michael.

Such a neat perspective!! During treatment for drug addiction, Michael Brody-Waite learned three principles that became the difference between life and death: Practice rigorous authenticity, Surrender the outcome, and Do uncomfortable work.

The way he explains the similarities between that and leadership is quite phenomenal and challenges leaders everywhere to rip off the mask and lead ourselves first! I found it to be challenging and inspiring and as a leader in ministry, I was able to draw out many points that I believe would transform the way we lead. Job well done!!

The Mask-Free exercises I did with Michael Brody-Waite helped increase my peace and confidence… and I just had a wonderful presentation and meeting. I needed a win and I got one today!