Lessons from a Whistleblower: The Cost of Staying Silent with Susan Fowler Rigetti 6 | 44

Nov 13, 2024

Susan Fowler Rigetti, author of "Whistleblower" and former Uber engineer, discusses the emotional toll of toxic workplaces and the vital role of speaking out against injustice. She shares her journey of calling out harmful practices, emphasizing how silence can perpetuate dysfunction. The conversation dives into coping strategies for overcoming challenges and the importance of documenting experiences to empower future generations. Fowler's powerful testimony encourages listeners to find their voice and advocate for psychological safety at work.

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ANECDOTE

Past Experiences of Systemic Issues

Susan Fowler Rigetti felt unheard while witnessing mistreatment at Uber.
This mirrors her earlier experiences with systemic issues in poverty and college.

ADVICE

Leaving Toxic Environments

Recognize when a system is broken and cannot be fixed internally.
Leave such environments, as corrupt systems cannot foster true success.

ADVICE

Speaking Up

Do not be afraid to speak up about workplace issues.
Susan Fowler Rigetti emphasizes the importance of voicing concerns despite potential consequences.

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Susan Rigetti on speaking up, keeping receipts, and why silence is never the answer.

We’re shaking up the workplace and diving deep into the raw reality of whistleblowing and the courage it takes to speak up with this special episode from the Radical Respect podcast. Kim, Wesley, and special guest Susan Rigetti, author of Whistleblower, break down the challenges of calling out toxic systems while being real with yourself. When harmful practices go unchecked, they don’t just derail careers—they damage the core of psychological safety that we all need to do our best work. So how do you find the strength to raise your voice when the stakes feel impossibly high? Susan shares her own powerful story of calling out the broken culture at Uber, laying out what happens when you decide you’ve had enough and choose to act. If you’ve ever struggled to raise your voice in the face of workplace dysfunction, learn why silence is never the answer and how respect and courage can transform even the most challenging environments. Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Amy introduces the Radical Respect podcast with Kim, Wesley and guest Susan Rigetti, author of Whistleblower.
(00:03:24) Whistleblower and Lessons from Uber
Susan discusses her book, Whistleblower, and her challenges at Uber.
(00:07:13) Advice to Younger Self
The hard lesson of recognizing when a system can’t be fixed from the inside.
(00:10:33) The Cost of Staying Silent
The psychological and financial struggles many face when they stay silent.
(00:14:25) Staying True to Your Values
How keeping a list of values helped navigate a toxic work culture.
(00:16:20) Writing Whistleblower
Addressing misconceptions and setting the record straight with Whistleblower.
(00:21:18) Understanding Systemic Barriers
The systemic barriers that individuals face in the workplace.
(00:23:55) Reporting to HR
Documenting and reporting issues to hold organizations accountable.
(00:26:20) Keeping the Receipts
Advice on documenting conversations and emails to protect oneself.
(00:29:07) Conclusion

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