Originally posted on October 29, 2022 @ 8:46 AM
One of the core principles in SPoR is balance. We see this visualised in the SPoR risk maturity model. See Figure 1. Risk Maturity.
Figure 1. Risk Maturity.
This simple semiotic makes clear all of the ‘steps’ that need to be considered in tackling risk. Whilst we tend to start risk assessment in the Workspace (Physical/Material), we need to also consider what is happening in Headspace (Psychological) and Groupspace (Cultural). Indeed, the interaction between Workspace, Headspace and Groupspace is an ever-moving dialectic.
You can see an animation of how WS, HS, GS works here: https://vimeo.com/377161192
You can also see how the WS, HS, GS models is applied in practice here: https://safetyrisk.net/understanding-goal-states-motivation-and-spor-a-video/
In all SPoR semiotics, you will observe this constant dialectic between three competing elements. This is often captured in the use of a hyphen between two words (eg. Following-leading, i-thou) or by a centre between 3 elements. All of the books in SPoR capture this on each cover (https://www.humandymensions.com/shop/).
Risk in an ever-moving feast, a ‘wicked problem’ that is essential to fallibility and learning.
There is no ‘fixing’, ‘elimination’ or absolute ‘control’ for risk.
Risk is NOT the enemy. Humans are not the enemy of safety (https://safetyrisk.net/the-enemy-of-safety-humans/; https://safetyrisk.net/the-new-safety-enemy-the-unconscious/).
There is no learning without risk.
This is why the nonsense of zero is anti-learning.
The key in tackling risk with balance is finding the tensions between Workspace, Headspace and Groupspace.
In the risk and safety industry the current focus is predominantly on Workspace (systems to control physical hazards). Indeed, even when Safety tries to define culture, it draws it back into Workspace with the silly definition ‘what we do around here’. This demonstrates the fixation of the industry on measurement, engineering and behaviourism.
If you are looking for balance in tackling risk, you won’t find it in traditional safety (https://safetyrisk.net/if-youre-looking-for-balance-dont-ask-safety/ ).
Striking a balance is not easy in any activity but such tension is a necessary need in any attempt to avoid extremes, binary dogma and hegemony. Such a dynamic also help resist the temptations to abuse power (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-ethics-spor-and-how-to-foster-the-abuse-of-power/ ).
What does this mean in practice?
In SPoR, we provide tools to help strike a balance in tackling risk. The methods of SPoR help acknowledge that risk is present in Workspace, Headspace and Groupspace. SPoR tools are doable, positive, practical, humanising and effective, they work (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/it-works-a-new-approach-to-risk-and-safety/) and provide balance.
Risk Maturity Animated from Human Dymensions on Vimeo.
Dr Rob Long
Latest posts by Dr Rob Long (see all)
- Culture and Risk Workshop – Feedback - March 24, 2023
- Practical Case Studies in SPoR Presented at Vienna Workshops - March 21, 2023
- Risk iCue Video - March 20, 2023
- Rethinking Leadership in Risk - March 20, 2023
- Gesture and Symbol in Safety, the Force of Culture - March 20, 2023
Do you have any thoughts? Please share them below