This time, I know for sure it's not the first time you've heard about cancel culture, as this is my second newsletter on the subject. Today, we will discuss this movement in more depth. I will show you a few case studies and real-life examples on how to avoid a cancel culture episode.

Let's protect our careers, stay fearless, and stop being distracted by nonsense on the internet.

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If you missed my part 1, here is it: https://careerdoors.beehiiv.com/p/cancel-culture-today-and-in-the-roman-ages

If you want to picture the Cancel Culture, see it as a digital firestorm, where multiple users are gathering against one (with or without a good/real reason) to boycott or threaten the individual. 

Beside this, we can notice the pressure faced by the person and their peers, employers, collaborators, and sponsors. For example, after controversial statements, there were calls to fire a university professor or cancel a speaker's event.

However, not all attempts to "cancel" are successful. They can sometimes backfire, leading to a counter-movement of support for the target.

Looking at the CT of cancel culture we can notice the trigger that can lead to a stroke and it might look like this:

Balenciaga: The luxury fashion brand faced massive backlash for an ad campaign featuring children with teddy bears dressed in bondage gear, leading to widespread public outrage and serious reputational damage.

Heineken's poor planning: Their ad used the tagline "lighter is better" as a beer slid past Black people. It did not go over well, and they pulled it as quickly as possible.

The foundation of your protection is the first layer: building your character and reputation. Keep your actions aligned with your values. Authentic behavior is the hardest thing to attack.

What to do daily:

First, I want you to watch this video and remember that you are accountable for what you let into your mind. We must live and enjoy everything we have, right now. This video resonates with me deeply because I have faced this in reality and know what it's like to watch someone you care about struggle.

Do your digital hygiene

Make a short audit of your old posts.
Think before posting,  ask "how will this be read in 5 years?"
Separate private opinions from public platforms.

The long term plan

Invest in genuine relationships with diverse audiences, stakeholders, and colleagues. People who know you personally are far less likely to pile on.

Be ready for anything and don’t take for real all you read online

Crisis response infrastructure
Have a trusted advisor, PR contact, or legal counsel on standby. Prepare a response template in advance. Never respond in rage, pause, assess, then act.

Answer this question:
What tiny habit can I start today?
Building a new habit requires an initial spark of discipline.
So START today. ❤️

If this sparked your curiosity, consider subscribing or sharing this exploration with a friend who ponders the intersection of reputation and career.