p. 16
“
To some extent, of course, we're all impostors—we all play roles when on the stage of life, presenting a different public self than the private self we share with intimates, and morphing both selves as circumstances demand. Displaying a facade and misleading our audience are defensive behaviors learned early.
— Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "To some extent, of course, we're all impostors—we all play roles when on the stage of life, presenting a different public self than the private self we share with intimates, and morphing both selves as circumstances demand. Displaying a facade and misleading our audience are defensive behaviors learned early." in the context of "p. 16" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries" (Quotes, The Leader on the Couch, 2011: Manfred Kets de Vries (2011). The Leader on the Couch: A Clinical Approach to Changing People and Organizations.)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Tags
About Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries
Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a Dutch psychologist, Professor of leadership development and organizational change at INSEAD, and consultant. He is best known for bringing a different view to the much-studied subjects of leadership and the dynamics of individual and organizational change.1 In 2009, he was rated amongst the Top 50 Thinkers in Management.
About Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries
Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a Dutch psychologist, Professor of leadership development and organizational change at INSEAD, and consultant. He is best known for bringing a different view to the much-studied subjects of leadership and the dynamics of individual and organizational change.1 In 2009, he was rated amongst the Top 50 Thinkers in Management.
View all quotes →