Solution-Focused Methods and SEEK

For over 20 years, SPoR has been offering positive, practical solutions for an industry screaming out for alternatives. Then, when an alternative is offered, the industry goes back to the same drawing board, same systems, same design, more checklists, same discourse of ‘performance’ and engineering, searching for solutions. The complains that there are no alternatives.

The curriculum and approach of Safety has not moved philosophically in 20 years. Except for a change in slogans, there has been no change, no movement in underlying philosophy/methodology (https://safetyrisk.net/methodology-philosophy-drives-your-safety-method/). For example, I get amazed at all this excitement about energy-based safety and it’s just the same old stuff, the love of objects.

A change in branding, marketing, slogans and cosmetics is not change. Without a shift in philosophy/methodology away from the foundational STEM-only focus of safety, all that will change is surface appearance, not substance.

For over 20 years, SPoR has been offering a positive practical change in philosophy/methodology and some have taken up the challenge. For example, those that have used the SEEK method  (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/seek-investigations-a-semiotic-method/) have transformed the way they investigate with astounding results. SEEK offers a completely different method than any of the common methods on the market. It is holistic and comprehensive but requires a completely different way of thinking about risk. SEEK doesn’t use checklists or traditional safety thinking for enquiry, it is completely different.

Without a fundamental change in ethic, there is no chance of change (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/the-ethics-of-risk/). How on earth can one hope to humanise safety and leadership in risk if there is no shift in methodology?

Every blog, book and resource offered by SPoR over 20 years, demonstrates a positive, practical solution to what safety so often complains about. Yet, when Safety looks for solutions, it returns to the old favourites: performance (HOP), systems and STEM.

There is another way, that works (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/it-works-a-new-approach-to-risk-and-safety-book-for-free-download/) that is being practiced across many organisations but it takes the courage to move and change philosophy/methodology. But, if one can’t move away from Behaviourism, Engineering and Duty, nothing can change. The limitations of these philosophies will always lead to the dehumanisation of persons. The focus will always remain on objects not subjects.

If you are interested in a different philosophy/methodology that offers hope, practical, positive movement in how people can tackle risk, then sign up for the free workshops on Philosophy and Safety being run in May: https://safetyrisk.net/philosophy-for-risk-and-safety-free-workshops/

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Prof. Robert Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions

Latest posts by Prof. Robert Long (see all)

• Weick’s Expectations of the Unexpected - May 13, 2026
• The Non-Revolution in Safety - May 12, 2026
• Suspending Your Agenda to Begin Learning in Risk - May 11, 2026
• The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety - May 9, 2026
• Weick’s Organising as ‘Consensually Validated Grammar’ - May 9, 2026

PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.