Reflecting on 2015 – Thanks for Being Part of Our Community
“Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis”
Etienne Wenger
Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge
2015 was an exciting time for everyone involved with Dolphyn. For our ‘Community of Practice ‘we completed our post-graduate program in the Social Psychology of Risk. This has been a wonderful ‘learning adventure’ which provides some great insights and understanding of ‘why we do what we do’, along with the importance of understanding how social arrangements are critical in our decisions and judgments about risk.
We were also fortunate to work and share experiences with some wonderful people and organisations throughout the year with many highlights, some of which are outlined below. We thank everyone who has been part of our 2015, and look forward to continuing to connect and learn with you all in 2016.
The Year That Was
Some Highlights From 2015
- We continued our wonderful relationship with Australia’s largest independent fruit and vegetable retailer, Harris Farm Markets, where the highlights are worthy of a section of their own. We are fortunate to work across all areas of Harris Farm supporting culture, risk, leadership, safety and injury management.
- Through our involvement with Human Dymensions, we supported two Group Health, Safety & Environment Teams (HSE) Teams to gain a better understanding of the Psychology of Risk
- We conducted a large safety culture review across one of Australia’s largest Aluminium Smelters, supporting the team to better understanding what factors contribute to safety culture.
- We completed a WHS Due Diligence and Safety Culture Review across one of Australia’s largest media organisations.
- We commenced working with one of Australia’s largest financial service providers conducting a longitudinal review of risk and safety systems and culture. This work is continuing into 2016.
Conversation Corner Videos
Conversations on the Couch is a collaboration of good friends who share an interest in learning about people and how we make decisions and judgments.
We have all studied social psychology and the purpose of these videos is to share our ideas, experiences and stories with others who also have a passion for better understanding people and why we do what we do.
You can see all of our videos HERE
Our Most Popular Blogs Over the Past Few Months
Zero Harm, Santa Clause and Other Such Myths
Like most things in life, the more critically we think about them, the more we can learn and understand. When we think about some of the social psychological lessons of the semiotic of Santa Claus, he may not just be the nice guy he’s made out to be.
READ MORE
We Are Such Experts
When we take on the role of expert, whether in our analysis of sport or in risk and safety, the danger is that we see people as ‘problems to be fixed’, rather than ‘people to be met‘. We did a lot of fixing in just one day!
READ MORE
What Can Safety & Risk Learn From Patch Adams
If we subscribe to the theory that wellness, healthcare and medical systems should have as their focus physical and biological health, and subsequently pay little attention to psychological and spiritual health, we are lead to a path that sees patients (I’d prefer to call them people or more preferably by their name) as objects and parts of a system
READ MORE
The Challenges for Organisations in Dealing With Mental Health
If organisations are to better support the mental health of their employees, adopting a more holistic approach, to firstly better understand, and then deal with mental health at work, is required.
READ MORE
If we adopt an approach to safety that is focused on controlling others then banning things in the name of safety is a perfect solution to dealing with the grey, messiness and ambiguity of risk. There is no grey in banning something, right?
READ MORE
The Link Between Think and Blink
While our Thinking Groups usually run with no set agenda and with minimal formalities, we generally have a theme that is often around a book, a topic or an idea that one of the group is keen to discuss. Thinking Groups are not unlike a book club.
READ MORE
New Human Dymensions Video Launch Page
Dr Rob Long from Human Dymensions has launched a page on his website. It includes a collection of over 100 videos. The page is now a collection of 16 launching icons that help with navigation. There are quite a number of videos that are free and most of the academic files from the post graduate program are pass coded and cannot be viewed. Two sample lectures on Weick and organising are available here for those interested.
Simply click on the image below to check out the videos.
An Ideal Christmas Gift – Can You Spare 8 4 A Mate?
Are You Looking For a Last Minute Gift Idea?
Lifeline’s 84AMate program was launched in 2015. For as little as $8 a month, you can contribute directly to our local Hunter and Central Coast community by donating money to keep up the important work done by our many volunteers at Lifeline.
If you’re looking for a last minute gift idea for someone who has everything, 84AMate could be just what you have been looking for.
You Can Join The Campaign Here
Wishing You a Safe and Happy Christmas
2015 has provided many highlights, challenges and much learning. We are looking forward to taking a break over the next few weeks to reflect and relax. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of your throughout the year and wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. May 2016 bring you many good times, good health and happiness.
While for many, this time of the year can be filled with good times, fun and happiness, we also pause to reflect and consider those who won’t be together with others at this time of the year.
Thankfully for some of those people who have know where to turn this Christmas there are places like The Wayside Chapel who ‘create community with no us and them’.
Each Christmas, The Wayside host a street party that attracts more than 800 people and provides a place to ‘be’ with others. If you’d like to contribute to The Wayside’s special event there is great news…..
It’s not too late to ‘Donate a Plate‘ to the Wayside Chapel for Christmas
Click here to see how
Staying in Touch
Thanks for reading our Newsletter, we love staying in touch. We also love feedback so why not drop us a line at contact@dolphyn.com.au and let us know what you think. We also understand that you may not want to stay in touch, that’s easy, just click on ‘unsubscribe’ below and you’ll be taken off the list.
Thanks for being part of our Community.
Latest posts by Rob Sams (see all)
- Am I stupid? I didn’t think of that… - January 13, 2023
- I’m just not that into safety anymore - December 30, 2022
- Focus on ‘Meeting’ people, not legislation – a path to risk maturity - December 24, 2022
- Just Toolbox it! - December 3, 2022
- Do we Need a Different Way of Being in Safety? - December 1, 2022
Do you have any thoughts? Please share them below