What Cancel Culture Could Learn from the Ice Rink
Ever watch a figure skater hit the ice? The instant they fall, the arena erupts—not with boos, but with cheers. Thousands of people, in perfect unison, rooting for them to get back up. The energy shifts instantly from the mistake to the comeback. It’s electric.
Now imagine if corporate culture or social media worked like that. One failed project, one misstep in leadership, one poorly judged post—and suddenly, judgment floods in, innovation stalls, and morale tanks. That’s cancel culture at work.
Here’s what the ice rink teaches us about growth mindset and team resilience:
- Mistakes fuel innovation, they aren’t career killers. Every fall is a learning moment in failure recovery.
- Immediate support drives recovery. Encouragement from leadership and peers boosts confidence and motivates risk-taking.
- Focus forward, not backward. The smartest organizations pivot quickly, learn from failure, and move on.
Take a recent example in entertainment: a public figure shared an opinion that sparked backlash. Many people disagreed — some strongly — and yet, the response was swift removal rather than discussion. Instead of asking, “What’s really happening here?” and helping people understand the context, the moment was treated as a career-ending mistake. Isn’t that the opposite of what a supportive crowd does? In the rink, a fall sparks encouragement and curiosity: how will they recover? Why can’t we apply the same approach in public discourse?
In business, applying these lessons could transform corporate culture. Employees would feel safe to take risks, innovate boldly, and grow without fear of permanent judgment. Teams would bounce back faster from setbacks, fostering resilience that drives results. Brands could recover from missteps with transparency and accountability, turning potential disasters into trust-building moments.
We glorify perfection, but real growth comes from falling and getting back up. So the next time someone falters in your organization—or online—don’t walk away. Cheer them on. The payoff? Smarter leaders, stronger teams, and a corporate culture built to thrive.
Have you ever been part of a situation where someone was “canceled” instead of having a conversation? How would it have been different if the crowd had cheered them on and worked through it?