I'm 34 and I just realized I've been performing competence at work for seven years because somewhere along the way I confused being impressive with being safe, and the exhaustion I thought was burnout was actually the weight of never once letting anyone see me learn something for the first time. - Silicon Canals

"Performing competence is one of the most socially rewarded forms of self-erasure available to a professional adult. The conventional view of this behaviour is flattering, often labeled as professionalism or executive presence."

"Every meeting entered with answers pre-loaded. Every email triple-checked for tone, authority, precision. Every question I asked in a group setting carefully framed to sound like I already knew the answer."

"Neuroscience research suggests that our nervous system responds to social threats with similar vigilance mechanisms used for physical dangers, indicating a deep-rooted fear of being perceived as incompetent."

Performing competence often results in self-erasure, where individuals mask their genuine capabilities with a polished exterior. This behavior is socially rewarded in professional settings, as individuals prepare extensively to appear competent. The pressure to maintain this facade can lead to a lack of authenticity and vulnerability. Neuroscience research indicates that the brain prioritizes threat detection, suggesting that social threats, such as being perceived as incompetent, trigger similar responses as physical dangers. This dynamic creates a cycle of performance over genuine engagement.

Read at Silicon Canals