Practical advice on being an active bystander with Karen Maher.
5 April, 2022
Karen Maher recently shared practical advice on being an active bystander, the importance of leadership support, and how SmartCulture focuses on keeping conversations about bystander intervention practical and actionable.
Being an active bystander is an increasingly important area in Australia and can be a powerful way to prevent harmful behaviour in workplaces.
Traditionally, many people have tended to look away when they witness behaviour that makes them uncomfortable. Often this is because they don’t feel confident speaking up or are unsure whether they will be supported if they do.
The main goal is simple: do something.
Depending on the situation and the relationships involved, some people may feel comfortable calling out behaviour in the moment. In other cases, it may feel safer to address the issue afterwards or raise it through another channel.
The key message is that action matters — even small steps can make a meaningful difference in creating safer, more respectful workplaces.
Watch the full video for more steps on how to be an active bystander:
