Strangers put on masks, especially when they think they won't get caught, or when they are trying to be something they are not.
Correct. We see this in the IT corporate and other govt ladders a lot. People easily backstab each other by holding the mask. And worst part you can't win those small battles and unless you adjust survival is harder in those grounds.
I am glad that so far for now at least, the company I work for doesn't have a lot of backstabbing in it that I have seen. People get frustrated, but there is a general sense of transparency and openness, and discussion is encouraged.