The growing “industrialised” nature of whistleblowing—complete with mandated processes, third-party hotlines, and compliance reporting—was meant to protect people.

I believe this attempt at 'normalisation' has become corrosive, for the following reasons:
- Severe personal harm: Even with legal protections, many whistleblowers suffer devastating professional, financial, and psychological consequences.
- Weaponisation and fear: Formal systems can be misused, leaving managers afraid to address legitimate issues for fear of retaliation claims.
- Process over resolution: Hotlines and software can unintentionally replace genuine ethical leadership, reducing complex human concerns to bureaucratic transactions.

Trying to “normalise” whistleblowing despite these harms is a bit like normalising excessive drinking, overwork culture, or using goods from exploitative labour: we’re making peace with something harmful instead of fixing the root cause.

There is a healthier alternative.

Before whistleblowing becomes to be seen as the only path left, we can create cultures where Courageous Conversations are the norm.

And when we do, everyone—people, teams, and organisations—win.

Explore training for Courageous Conversations