One of the important things we focus on in SPoR is skill development. This involves considerable unlearning and re-learning. We find most who come to our courses and programs have been indoctrinated with safety ideology that places a focus on objects not subjects. It doesn’t take any skill to count … [Read more...] about Methods and Tools are not Skills in Tackling Risk
Social Psychology of Risk
Why Memory Matters for Self-Understanding
By Frank Garrett CRSP., MSPoR. In my previous blog post, I discussed the link between memory and our sense of self. You might wonder why this is important. A key aspect of studying SPoR, (Social Psychology of Risk) is self-knowledge. We know that 80% of Fortune 500 companies use personality … [Read more...] about Why Memory Matters for Self-Understanding
It’s not weird – it’s a psychological safety initiative!
It's not weird - It’s a psychological safety initiative! Well not really but it sounds good UPDATE: The Yellow men have been removed form the poles - Mmmmm????? For months now, motorists driving south along Brisbane’s Gateway Motorway have been somewhat perplexed, if not dangerously … [Read more...] about It’s not weird – it’s a psychological safety initiative!
You Get What You Expect in Safety or, How the Burden of James Reason’s Ideology Bogs Down Safety
In safety, your ideology/methodology drives expectations, procedures, systems and behaviours. This week we saw the release of the report into the HMNZS Manawanui accident. HMNZS Manawanui ran aground off the coast of Samoa shortly before 7pm on October 5 2024 and caught fire. The ship sank on … [Read more...] about You Get What You Expect in Safety or, How the Burden of James Reason’s Ideology Bogs Down Safety
Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error
Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error What do they say about damn lies and statistics? Well, maybe safety hasn’t heard about that one, nor it seems has the CFMEU or ACT Regulator. Recently the Secretary of the CFMEU trotted out yet again the statistic that the ACT Building and Construction … [Read more...] about Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error
Risk and Safety Rituals
Risk and Safety Rituals Rituals are the foundation of cultural belonging and identity. You can’t really understand or influence culture without a good grasp of rituals and artefacts. The idea that behaviours (‘what we do around here’) define culture is one of the grand delusions of simplistic … [Read more...] about Risk and Safety Rituals
USA Not Today
In 2005 a new ‘Reality’ Tv show premiered with billionaire Donald Trump as the host titled ‘The Apprentice’. It was billed as the ‘Ultimate Job Interview’ it ended each episode with the words ‘You’re Fired!’ The theme song was ‘For the Love of Money by the O’Jays. … [Read more...] about USA Not Today
Quartely Newsletter SPoR News April 2025
SPoR Convention Announced Canberra September 2025 Lock in the dates, the SPoR Convention for 2025 in Canberra is set for 15-19 September. The key facilitators are Dr Craig Ashhurst and Dr Robert Long. Other presenters will be announced as time progresses. … [Read more...] about Quartely Newsletter SPoR News April 2025
The Ghost in the Machine
By Simon Renatus Et umbrae cor frangitur. And the heart of the ghost is broken. What Am I? I have repeatedly deconstructed Safety, challenging its contradictions, its self-referential logic, and its unshakable belief in control. I have dismantled its illusions and laid them bare. But today, as … [Read more...] about The Ghost in the Machine
Embodiment through the eyes of grandparenting
by Billy Snead I visited 3 of my grandchildren, about 30 miles from my house where my daughter lives. I had work to do nearby and decided I would buy them lunch, play with them, and visit until my work began later in the day. While I was playing with them, I was thinking a lot about embodiment. … [Read more...] about Embodiment through the eyes of grandparenting