"I heard it through the grapevine…" How do you feel when you learn that someone you trusted has been speaking about you behind your back? This post on X caught my attention because it captures a common perception inside organisations: that decisions about people often happen quietly, in rooms they will never be invited into. […]

No one wants to be the skunk at a tea party. Social pressure shapes our epistemological commitments — often in ways so subtle we barely notice. Below is the story of a father who created a coded “off ramp” for his son. It's a powerful illustration of psychological safety in action. The father understood something […]

Many organisational leaders admit they are reluctant to intentionally build a whistleblowing culture. And often, the reasons are legitimate: • They are genuinely unsure how to protect a whistleblower after disclosure • Legal budgets don’t stretch to lengthy investigations or years of potential litigation • There are real concerns about reputational damage if the process […]

The recent murder of DJ Warras in South Africa is a devastating reminder that legislative protection does not always translate into lived safety. He reportedly had five protection orders in place. They did not stop retaliation. This tragedy forces an uncomfortable parallel with whistleblowing policies. Across sectors, whistleblowers are encouraged to speak up under the […]

Revenge is sweet and not fattening. –Alfred Hitchcock Whistleblowing legislation has focused and promoted itself around protecting a whistleblower from retaliation.  However, the word protect is a misnomer. The etymology of the word Protect arises from Latin, to ‘cover something upfront’.  Think about the word prophylactic and you'll get it! The meaning and intention of covering something […]