Choosing to speak up in front of your boss or higher-up can come with costs. Whether it means losing an internship position or receiving harsh treatment throughout the term of the internship, people feel challenging when someone speaks up to them. Although it is an important skill to receive constructive criticism, the recipient can feel targeted or insecure.
I personally would speak up in a manner that does not attack the counterpart’s flaws, but rather address them. If I were to face an unethical situation, I would want to think over the situation first. It is important for me to understand why an organization is run in the way it is, and to sort out my thoughts before confronting someone. In addition, speaking up often impacts more than one person, and so it requires multiple perspectives. If I want to stand up on behalf of others, I would need to thoroughly understand their views and collect these claims before addressing it. However, I want to be completely honest in the sense that it is difficult to stand up when you are not in a position of power. As an intern, you need to take into consideration the gracious opportunity given to you, which makes it even harder to act against what you have been provided.
Overall, by realizing how psychologically difficult it is, working to lessen the social threat that speaking up creates, and making a plan, you will be able to stand up for the better.
