“People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening…”. Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” was never written about military culture. Yet its central idea has a striking relevance to the modern British Army. Sometimes the most dangerous sound in an organisation isn’t shouting. It is silence. Silence when someone makes a sexualised joke. Silence … Continue reading Disturb the Silence: Why the British Army Needs More People Willing to Speak Up
When More Whistleblowers Is Good News: Why Active Bystandership Can Increase Reporting
Bad news sells; that's clear. However, do the headlines always communicate the truth? When organisations announce that whistleblowing reports have increased, the reaction is often predictable. Headlines suggest something has gone wrong. Leaders become defensive. Employees wonder whether the workplace has become more toxic. A recent report from the Scottish media suggested that the City … Continue reading When More Whistleblowers Is Good News: Why Active Bystandership Can Increase Reporting
The Cup That Changed Nothing…..And Everything
This is a very personal blog. My mum died last Thursday, peacefully surrounded by her family. She was 80 years old. A courageous woman who had been living with and fighting multiple cancers for the last 15 years. As a family, we all knew the outcome was inevitable. Like many families who have walked this … Continue reading The Cup That Changed Nothing…..And Everything
Why we need a more positive conversation with young men about violence
A more positive conversation with and about young men is not about minimising harm or protecting male feelings. It is about effectiveness. If the goal is to reduce violence, challenge abusive norms, and create cultures where men intervene early when something is going wrong, then young men need to be engaged as part of the … Continue reading Why we need a more positive conversation with young men about violence
What Peter Pan Can Teach Us About Active Bystandership
This morning I’m sitting watching the original Peter Pan with my three-year-old granddaughter Arra. It’s her first time seeing it. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched this as a kid and with my own daughters. Watching it through her eyes reminded me that some of the most powerful lessons about human … Continue reading What Peter Pan Can Teach Us About Active Bystandership
