After long discussions with Rob Long, Craig Ashhurst and others in the Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk (CLLR) we have made the decision to develop a connected approach to communications for the Social Psychology of Risk by creating the SPoR Community Network. I (Matt Thorne Adelaide) have … [Read more...] about SPoR Community Network
Communicating Professionally in Risk
The foundations of communicating and messaging is: framing, priming, pitching, anchoring, reframing and suspending agenda. We learn this in many SPoR programs as a foundation for understanding communication and influencing effectiveness. We use a simple tool shown at Figure 1. Language … [Read more...] about Communicating Professionally in Risk
How NOT to be Professional in Safety
Imagine going to your parent teacher evening and sitting down to discuss your child’s progress at the school and professional teacher describes your child’s challenges in school as a ‘hazard’. Imagine your child is having issues with bullying and is upset about it and approaches a teacher who … [Read more...] about How NOT to be Professional in Safety
How NOT to do Anything About Culture in Building and Construction
How NOT to do Anything About Culture in Building and Construction The recently released Culture Standard for the Construction Industry (https://www.cultureinconstruction.com.au/culture-standard/ ) is a classic example of how to look like culture is identified and being addressed, when it is not. … [Read more...] about How NOT to do Anything About Culture in Building and Construction
Linguistics and Risk
Linguistics and Risk Here’s a little experiment for you. Start calling someone a loser and see what happens. Of course, we don’t speak such language, especially to children, because we all know that language creates self-fulfilling prophecies. The language you speak and the text you write are … [Read more...] about Linguistics and Risk
Why People Do As They Do
The mature study of the psychology of motivation ought to be foundational for any safety person. The foundation for understanding human motivation is one’s worldview and understanding of personhood. One thing is for sure, neither Behaviourism or BBS have a foggy clue about motivation. This … [Read more...] about Why People Do As They Do
Not Much Like Safety…
Not Much Like Safety… A visit to The Wayside Chapel in Sydney's Kings Cross is a treat. This is a place where people don't seem too proud to say that, for one reason or another and at a point of time in their life, they may have been, or perhaps still are, 'by the wayside'. There is so much about … [Read more...] about Not Much Like Safety…
The Ethic of ALARP and the Dilemma of Safety
One of the great things about the Regulation and the Act is the subjectivity of ALARP and Due Diligence. Both account for the beauty of human fallibility and the adaptability needed in tackling risk. Of course, there is no policy, law, regulation or standard that is absent of a moral philosophy. … [Read more...] about The Ethic of ALARP and the Dilemma of Safety
Hoodwinked by Heinrich
Hoodwinked by Heinrich I have written before about the Heinrich Hoax and Delusion (https://safetyrisk.net/ration-delusions-and-heinrichs-hoax/), the Heinrich Hoodoo (https://safetyrisk.net/the-heinrich-hoodoo/) and Heinrich Propaganda (https://safetyrisk.net/the-heinrich-hoodoo/). All this critique … [Read more...] about Hoodwinked by Heinrich
AI Mythology, Confirmation Bias and Safety
One of the skills in critical thinking is deconstructing assumptions underneath argument. This skill is essential when reading anything about AI and safety. It is critical in risk and safety to be able to deconstruct argument and discern Real Risk … [Read more...] about AI Mythology, Confirmation Bias and Safety
Zero Discourse and Perfectionism
Zero Discourse and Perfectionism Talking perfection to fallible people is not just silly, it is also dangerous (http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180219-toxic-perfectionism-is-on-the-rise). How strange that an industry so fixated on saving lives would unknowingly want to harm people! Yet, this is … [Read more...] about Zero Discourse and Perfectionism
