Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language One of my favourite books on learning is by Donald N. Michael ‘Learning to Plan and Planning to Learn’. Michaels is one of the great education philosophers up there with the likes of Parker J. Palmer, Buber, Ellul, Claxton, Robinson, Maclaren, Illich and … [Read more...] about Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language
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Military Metaphors in Safety
Military Metaphors in Safety Check out Rob’s new book: Following-Leading in Risk Weick (1979) tells us that organizing is ‘a consensually validated grammar for reducing equivocality by means of sensible interlocking behaviours’. Wow, what a definition and so much jammed into that definition. What … [Read more...] about Military Metaphors in Safety
Relationships as Therapy for Mental Health, A Note for Safety
We know that most mental health needs are not met with professional services but with Everyday Social Resilience. We also know that factors contributing to poor mental health are highly complex and not just the result of trauma. The recent release of the Royal Commission report into Defence and … [Read more...] about Relationships as Therapy for Mental Health, A Note for Safety
No Place for Military Metaphors in Safety
One day Safety may discover that language, metaphor and semiotics are critical for communication and messaging. The latest nonsense from Safety confirms that it has no idea what safety is about. We’ve seen this before from other traditional safety sources such as so called ‘safety … [Read more...] about No Place for Military Metaphors in Safety
Who is the Enemy and What War is Safety Fighting?
Who is the Enemy and What War is Safety Fighting? It is interesting after the last piece on the military as a model for safety leadership the responses that assumed that somehow the military was under attack. The idea that the military is a ‘lean, green safety machine’ was used on another blog to … [Read more...] about Who is the Enemy and What War is Safety Fighting?
Slogan Power
Many people underestimate the power of slogans because they function like metaphors and in many ways are hidden in language. It is impossible for humans to communicate without using either. The rhythmic power of slogans and the mis-directive power of metaphors are a central vehicle for … [Read more...] about Slogan Power
Zero Harm Means Zero Growth
Zero Harm Means Zero Growth News out today that an underground mine employee had his case for unfair dismissal denied by the Fair Work Commission. He refused to shave his goatee beard so that he could effectively wear a half face respirator to ensure he was protected from silica dust and the … [Read more...] about Zero Harm Means Zero Growth