Schools frequently cultivate "contrived performances" where adults feel pressured to display compliance and forced enthusiasm through routines that prioritize visible participation over genuine engagement. This dynamic manifests in performative rituals like mandatory icebreakers, the suppression of dissent to maintain an appearance of positivity, and meetings that reward visibility rather than meaningful collaboration, all of which can stifle innovation and lead to teacher burnout. To shift culture from polished compliance to honest interaction, leaders must build conditions for authenticity by welcoming disagreement, clarifying the purpose of tasks, and offering optionality rather than forcing personal disclosure.