The Upstander Academy

Build Trust, Lead with Empathy, and Connect with Purpose: The Upstander Way

“Her humility and grace, coupled with her courage and hard hitting messages are a potent blend for positive change making in any workplace”

The Upstander Academy

In the Upstander Economy, where integrity and ethical leadership drive success, having upstanders within your organisation enhances your business’s attractiveness, builds trust, and bolsters your bottom line. The Upstander Academy offers professional development and education to help you lead cultural transformation and inspire change within your company.

Designed for business owners, team leaders, aspiring leaders, HR professionals, safety champions, and wellbeing practitioners, this course supports continuous personal and professional growth. Your team will cultivate upstander mindsets and behaviours, driving meaningful cultural change while elevating your business’s reputation and fostering trust.

Created and led by Jessica Hickman, the founder of Bullyology and the Upstander Movement, and a renowned speaker, advisor, and author, this course equips your business with the essential tools to become a leader in the Upstander Economy. By building trust, leading with empathy, and connecting with purpose, your organisation will attract top talent and foster unwavering customer loyalty.

Workplace culture is complex.

But everyone has the power to be an upstander and lead change.

Does this sound familiar?

  • You're tired of bystanding​

    You care deeply about making a difference and are frustrated with the status quo. You know your organisation can do better, but it feels like you're stuck in a cycle of inaction. Without a clear framework for driving change, you lack the clarity and consistency needed to transform your organisation's culture.

  • You're getting lost in the noise

    You’re passionate about ethical leadership and upstanding practices, but struggle to get your message across. You feel overshadowed by louder voices and find it difficult to position and communicate your mission effectively. You need a strategy to highlight how your commitment to integrity sets you apart.

  • You're exhausted from trying to create change

    Despite your relentless efforts to make a difference, the constant pushback and slow progress have left you feeling drained. The persistent doubt makes you hesitant to take bold steps. You fear being 'found out' and often stay silent on the sidelines. Yet, you know your values and vision can inspire significant change. It’s time to shift from feeling like an imposter to confidently speaking out against injustice.

  • You don't know where to start

    Navigating the Upstander Economy can be daunting. Should you overhaul your internal communications? Launch a company-wide initiative? Start an upstanding movement within your industry? Balancing these decisions with your daily responsibilities feels overwhelming. You need a simple, actionable plan to become an upstander that aligns with your goals and drives meaningful change.

The Upstander Academy is designed for leaders and executives who are tired of bystanding and are ready to make a real difference. This online journey will help you speak up for change, embed purpose, create ethical cultures, and build empathy. Join us and transform your organisation’s culture, elevate your impact, and lead with integrity in the Upstander Economy.

What's Included

1.

Module One

Why the Upstander Movement
Understand the origins and significance of the Upstander Movement, and why it’s crucial for modern leadership.

2.

Module Two

What is Bullying & Harassment?
Gain a comprehensive understanding of bullying and harassment, their impacts, and how to address them within your organisation.

3.

Module Three

Exploring Tall Poppy Syndrome
Learn about Tall Poppy Syndrome, its effects on workplace culture, and strategies to counteract it.

4.

Module Four

The Bystander Effect
Delve into the psychology of the Bystander Effect and discover why people often fail to intervene in critical situations.

5.

Module Five

Bystander Archetypes
Identify the different archetypes of bystanders and their roles in perpetuating or preventing negative behaviours.

6.

Module Six

The Upstander Effect
Explore the transformative power of upstanding actions and their impact on organisational culture.

7.

Module Seven

Upstander Archetypes
Learn about the various upstander archetypes and how they contribute to a positive and proactive environment.

8.

Module Eight

Upstander Traits & Characteristics
Understand the key traits and characteristics that define effective upstanders.

9.

Module Nine

5 Steps to Being an Upstander
Discover a practical, five-step framework to become an upstander and inspire others to follow your lead.

10.

Module Ten

Upstander Pledge & Action Plan
Commit to actionable steps and develop a personalised plan to implement upstanding behaviours in your organisation.

The Upstander Partners

Who is this for?

What industries and professions have had powerful success with Upstander Impact?

How does The Upstand Academy work?

The Upstand Academy is a self-paced online program that runs on your own schedule and includes full digital course access. Lessons are delivered via a series of short pre-recorded online videos, designed to be simple and visual, discussing workplace culture concepts and strategies for implementation in personal and professional environments.

Each lesson includes worksheets to help you integrate and document your learning. Additionally, you’ll have access to a hand-picked library of resources for extended learning or catching up. Fact sheets are provided to share with your network, colleagues, and team.

Content can be revisited at your convenience, allowing you to progress at a pace that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why the Upstand Academy?

Whether you’re looking for personal or professional development, learning to be an Upstander is crucial for your workplace and business success. This course is tailored to meet your needs, whether you are leading or part of workplace culture.

Many have expressed a desire to build more positive work cultures but are unsure if their organisation or business would adopt a culture change program or in-house workshop. This course allows you to purchase access individually or for your entire workplace or team.

How much does the Upstand Academy cost?

The Upstand Academy offers content at a fraction of the cost of an in-person workshop. For just $499 + GST per user, you can access all the course materials from the comfort of your home or office.

How long will the course take?

Once you sign up, you’ll receive your password and access details straight to your inbox. You can work through the content at your own pace. For the best results, I recommend completing a module or topic each week (some modules are short 5-minute videos, while others include worksheets and reflections).

The course is designed with busy professionals in mind, so setting aside one to two hours per week should be sufficient. However, you can choose to dedicate more time and complete the course more quickly if you prefer.

Each lesson includes pre-recorded lectures (covering theory and practical application), along with downloadable fact sheets. Upon completing the course, you retain 12-month membership access, allowing you to revisit lessons and resources at any time. All alumni are granted access to future course updates and materials.

Are there any prerequisites necessary to enrol?

No background in workplace culture or leadership is needed for this course. Lessons are designed for professionals across various roles and industries, but anyone interested in learning about workplace culture and becoming an Upstander is welcome to join. Bring a curious mind, a willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for creating cultural change.

What industry/job title/experience do I need to participate in?

No specific background in workplace culture or leadership is needed. We welcome participants from diverse fields such as construction, finance, mining, education, law, government, technology, medical, and more. You don’t need a specific job title or industry expertise to be an Upstander.

Refund Policy

I want you to be satisfied with your purchase and committed to applying the strategies and learnings from the course. If you find the course of unacceptable quality or not as described, I offer a 5-day refund period from the purchase date. After five days, all payments are non-refundable, and you are responsible for the full payment of the program fees, regardless of completion. Refunds will not be made due to a change of mind.

I didn't receive my onboarding email...

If you haven’t received your onboarding email within 24 hours of purchase, please check your ‘JUNK’ folder. Sometimes emails are intercepted by personal or company firewalls. If you still can’t find your email, please send me an email at: Jessica@jesshickman.com. If you are a business with a protection firewall, please reach out to the academy team, and we will ensure you receive course access.

About Jessica

In today’s fast-changing business landscape, Jessica Hickman stands as a transformative leader and advocate for the Upstander Economy. As the founder of Bullyology and a globally recognised leadership advisor, speaker, and author, Jessica empowers organisations to reject passive bystanding and embrace upstanding. Her accolades, including the Exceptional Women in Resources and Minister for Territory Excellence in Leadership, underscore her significant impact on workplace culture and societal change.

Jessica’s acclaimed books, “The Bullyologist” and “The Upstander Leader,” have garnered recognition from Royal Society of Arts- Australian Career Book Awards, UK Business Book Awards, and Australian Business Book Awards. Her expertise makes her a sought-after speaker and trainer across the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, driving social, cultural, and environmental change.

In 2023, her TEDx talk, “Why Bystanding Poses the Greatest Threat to Our World,” cemented her role as a leading voice in promoting a culture of accountability and empathy. Regularly featured in prominent media, Jessica continues to inspire and guide others in fostering inclusive, respectful, and thriving environments.