Imagine waking up late for work. Everything seems to go wrong on that fateful day: the clothes don’t fit, the car won’t start, the bus is delayed, the elevator is out of order, the office is on the 18th floor, the manager reprimands you. The entire day becomes an ordeal. Your tension rises as the hours pass. Until, in an act of defiance, you want to scream: “I quit!”.

The rush of adrenaline briefly brings mental clarity, reminding you of the bills on the desk, the pet food, the upcoming family commitments. At that moment, you return to the endless spreadsheet, swallow the frustration, and pretend to everyone that nothing happened. This is what we call suppressed assertiveness and social friction.

In contrast to conventional definitions, this dynamic occurs when an individual observes contradictory forces in social life and feels compelled to speak their mind. One temporarily strips away the persona worn on the social stage to reveal true intent. Erving Goffman, the influential American sociologist, framed the concept of the “social stage” in his seminal work The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959).

For Goffman, individuals manage impressions to control how others perceive them. It functions as an exterior facade while actual dynamics unfold away from public view. This model is categorized into three structural realms:

The Stage (Front Stage)

Where the performance occurs and the individual assumes a specific role, aware of being observed. Here, the actor projects behavior conforming to established social norms or institutional expectations — speaking carefully, appearing polished, maintaining constant availability, and adhering to organizational decorum.

Backstage (Back Region)

The region inaccessible to the audience. Here, performance is suspended: the actor can relax, drop formal conventions, and express emotions unacceptable on stage. It also serves as a space to prepare and rehearse future interactions.

Outside

Where the individual is neither performing a specific institutional role nor present backstage. Here, different identities and alternative life contexts are engaged.

[!NOTE] This essay is part of the analytical publications by DeRossi Strategic Advisory. To receive our strategic insights directly in your inbox, subscribe to our Substack.

Institutional Dynamics and the Social Stage

In the 21st century, impression management has become an organizational imperative. When an actor diverges from expected behavioral standards, institutional friction often emerges. In complex organizational environments, managing this tension requires analytical clarity, strategic discipline, and a deep understanding of institutional systems.