The Moral Courage of Speaking Up
Even When Silence Feels Safer
You’ve been there. You’ve seen something that didn’t sit right with you—maybe a colleague was mistreated, a decision was made that harmed someone, or a policy felt off. Maybe you just watched the news. Your gut twisted, your heart pounded, and a small voice inside whispered,
“I need to say something.”
But you didn’t. Because what if speaking up put you at risk? What if it cost you your job, your reputation, or even just made your day-to-day life harder? In a toxic environment, you may have seen others speak up and face both subtle and overt negative consequences.
Staying quiet can feel like self-preservation.
And yet, silence is its own kind of harm.
Moral courage—the strength to act in alignment with our values, even when it’s uncomfortable or dangerous1 —isn’t easy. But it’s necessary. And it’s a skill you can develop.
What’s Holding You Back?
Before we talk about how to build moral courage, let’s acknowledge the barriers. Because if speaking up were simple, we’d all do it without hesitation. Here are some of the most common fears that keep us quiet:
Fear of retaliation – Will my boss fire me? Will my colleagues turn against me?
Fear of isolation – What if no one else agrees with me? What if I end up standing alone?
Fear of being wrong – Am I sure I have all the facts? What if I speak up and realize I misunderstood?
Fear of escalation – What if calling attention to the problem makes everything worse?
These fears are valid. They’re also not insurmountable.
Building Your Moral Courage Muscles
Moral courage isn’t about recklessness. It’s about thoughtful, intentional action. Here’s how you can strengthen it:
Clarify Your Values
If you’re not clear on what truly matters to you, speaking up will always feel risky. Take time to define your core values. Is fairness your guiding principle? Integrity? Compassion? When you know your values, it becomes easier to recognize when they’re being violated—and when it’s worth taking a stand.
Assess the Stakes
Not every situation calls for immediate action. Ask yourself:
Who is being harmed?
What are the potential consequences of speaking up—both for me and for others?
Is there a way to address this that minimizes harm while maximizing impact?
Sometimes, small, strategic steps are more effective than an all-out confrontation.
Find Your Allies
You don’t have to do this alone. Seek out people who share your values. Before speaking up, check in with trusted colleagues or mentors. Ask if they’ve noticed the same issue. There’s strength in numbers, and even one ally can make a difference.
Start Small
Courage grows through practice. If calling out a major ethical breach feels impossible right now, start with smaller acts of integrity:
Correct misinformation in a meeting.
Support a colleague who is being unfairly criticized.
Ask a thoughtful question that challenges the status quo.
These small moments build confidence and resilience for bigger challenges ahead.
Use Your Voice Wisely
How you speak up matters as much as whether you do. Instead of accusing, ask questions. Instead of attacking, invite discussion. Instead of making demands, offer solutions.
“I noticed this decision affects X group more than the rest. Have we considered alternatives?”
“I’m concerned about this policy change. Can we talk about potential risks?”
“I want to support our team’s integrity. How can we address this issue constructively?”
A well-phrased question can open doors that a confrontation might slam shut.
When It Feels Like No One Is Listening
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, nothing changes. The system is too rigid, leadership refuses to engage, or the cost of speaking up is simply too high. In those moments, remember:
Even if you don’t see the impact immediately, your words plant seeds. Someone is listening, even if they don’t say so.
Your integrity matters. Even if no one else changes, refusing to betray your values is a form of resistance in itself.
There are other ways to create change—through mentorship, policy work, community organizing, or simply leading by example.
Not every battle is yours to fight. But every act of moral courage contributes to a culture where ethical action becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Your Challenge
Think about a time you stayed silent when you wish you had spoken up. What held you back? What could you have done differently? And more importantly—what will you do next time?
Moral courage isn’t about fearlessness. It’s about taking action despite fear.
And that’s something we can all practice, one conversation at a time.
If your situation involves a genuine threat to your well-being, do what you need to do to stay safe. I will never suggest you put yourself in real physical, emotional, or psychological danger. Consider speaking up if your situation feels scary, but not actually dangerous.
We've all heard these sayings (or their variations) before:
"Evil triumphs when good people do nothing to stop it."
"See something, say something, do something."
They are always worth repeating. Doing what is right deserves, and often requires encouragement. Thank you for this article, Dr. Burgart.
Important piece!
You can do all the things, and feel right about your actions, and either nothing changes, things get worse, or the person you're trying to advocate for gets further marginalised. That person resigned and 5 others followed suit, including me. Would I have done something different despite predicting this outcome? Possibly. Moral courage is important but considerations about power, influence, status can provide the wisdom on how to apply moral courage that minimises damage done.