The Anti-Mascot Movement: Why I’m Done Being Sold a Culture in Costume

Let me tell you about her.

She was the one always featured in the newsletters. The one with the infectious energy, always showing up to the Zoom parties, leading committees, wearing the branded hoodie like it was armor.
She was the culture mascot.

But what most didn’t see was what happened after the cameras turned off.
The pressure. The constant expectation to “represent.”
The way leadership paraded her success while ignoring her growing exhaustion.

She wasn’t just burned out—she was being used as proof that a dysfunctional culture was “working.”

👀 What Her Story Opened My Eyes To

Watching her gave me a front-row seat to the quiet damage of performative culture.
Where being the face of positivity comes at the cost of your peace.
Where your loyalty gets marketed but not supported.
Where saying “I need help” gets met with silence, or worse dismissal.

I watched her light dim. And when she finally left, the same leaders who once showcased her simply found someone new to dress in the same role.
Same spotlight.
Same silence.

🧠 What That Job Taught Me

Culture isn’t about the loudest face in the room—it’s about how people feel when no one’s watching.
Recognition without real support is manipulation.
Psychological safety isn’t saying “we’re a family”—it’s building systems that don’t punish honesty or burnout.
If someone’s carrying the culture on their back alone, it was never a real culture to begin with.

💥 What I Want Leaders to Know

Before you celebrate someone as your “culture champ,” ask yourself:

Do they feel safe saying no?
Are you supporting them—or showcasing them?
Is their performance a mask… or a mirror?

Because not everyone wants to be a mascot—and no one should have to be.

🙌 What I Want Job Seekers to Know

You don’t owe anyone your overperformance.
You don’t need to prove your value by becoming the face of a broken system.
Trust what you observe. Interview them too.
And if the culture feels like a costume party, it probably is.

📣 Final Thought:

She taught me something leadership books never could:
Don’t mistake being seen for being supported.

So now I share her story—not to blame, but to awaken.
Because somewhere, someone else is being handed the mascot suit.
And they deserve better.

💡 Ready to Stop Auditioning for Broken Cultures?

If this blog hit a little too close to home… you’re not alone.
Navigating your next career move shouldn’t feel like decoding a costume party.

✨ Let’s talk about what you really need in a workplace.
✨ Let’s get clear on your boundaries, your worth, and your next step.

👉 Book a Career Clarity Chat with Me

No fluff. No mascots. Just real talk.