People lie primarily because they feel inferior. This insight comes from research presented to the CIA in 2016 and remains highly relevant today.

The Mental Cost of Lying:

• Lying uses 2/3 of brain energy vs. 1/3 for truth-telling
• Creates mental exhaustion from maintaining false personas
• Prevents optimal brain performance

Real-World Example:
A CIA agent constantly switching between her undercover work identity and being a mother at home became mentally exhausted from this dual existence.

The 'Second Job' Problem:
Harvard research shows most people do an unpaid 'second job' at work - managing impressions and hiding inadequacies. This is considered the biggest waste of organizational resources today.

While some 'masking' is normal in adult life, excessive lying severely impacts our mental capacity and authentic performance.