The Ethical Courage & Speaking Up Lab gives trainees a practical opportunity to explore what happens between noticing a concern and deciding whether - and how to use their professional voice.

The session is grounded in the SAICA competency framework and supported by positive psychology-informed principles relating to courage, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, hope, values and psychological resources.

SAICA's detailed trainee guidance specifically recognises professional scepticism, speaking up, not being unduly influenced by a client or senior, and consulting when confronted by ethical issues as examples of ethical professional behaviour.

Trainees are also expected to follow an ethical reasoning process that includes identifying ethical threats, considering possible courses of action and consequences, selecting an appropriate response and reporting or escalating where necessary.

During the Lab trainees will explore:

• why capable people sometimes remain silent even when something concerns them;
• how hierarchy, belonging, fear, uncertainty and relationships can affect ethical voice;
• the difference between ethical courage and confrontation;
• how to regulate their emotions before a difficult conversation;
• how to raise a concern using facts rather than accusation;
• how professional scepticism and respectful challenge can work together;
• when consultation, support or escalation may be appropriate; and
• how to remain professionally grounded when the response they receive is uncomfortable.

Trainees will work through a realistic workplace dilemma and practise language they can actually use when raising a concern.

Examples might include:

• “I may be missing something, but I'm still concerned about…”
• “Could we look at the evidence together before I close the point?”
• “I understand the deadline pressure. My concern is…”
• “Would it be appropriate to get a second view on this?”
  
  

What will trainees walk away with?

• The VOICE Speaking-Up Tool
  A practical framework to help them prepare before raising a concern:
  VOICE supports the preparation for a speaking-up conversation and does not replace the SAICA ethical reasoning process or formal reporting requirements.
• A Personal Speak-Up Barrier Map
• Greater awareness of what is most likely to keep them silent, such as hierarchy, conflict avoidance, uncertainty, fear of judgement or concern about relationships.
• Practical language for difficult conversations
• Professional phrases and questions trainees can use to challenge, clarify or raise a concern without becoming unnecessarily confrontational.
• A Support & Escalation Map
• Greater clarity about when to seek another perspective, ask for guidance or use appropriate escalation channels.
• A short emotional-regulation strategy
• A practical way to pause and regulate before responding when anxiety, frustration or fear is high. SAICA's trainee guidance itself links emotional awareness with constructive emotional regulation and communication.
• An If–Then Ethical Courage Plan
• Evidence-capture reflection

Why this matters:

Speaking up does not require a trainee to be fearless.

It does not mean challenging every decision.

And it does not mean carrying difficult ethical situations alone.

It means developing enough courage, judgement and professional responsibility to ensure that an important concern is not ignored simply because silence feels easier.

SAICA's trainee guidance also recognises the importance of resilience and appropriate boundaries in pressurised environments.

Your voice is part of your professional competence.

Speaking up is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about being willing to use your professional voice when it matters.