Understanding iCue, a Visual, Verbal, Semiotic Method for Tackling Risk

Originally posted on December 27, 2022 @ 11:51 AM

If you really want to do safety differently you need a method that is different too. You can’t do safety differently using the same old systems and methods. More so, you can’t do safety differently from the same mechanistic paradigm.

This is why I developed the iCue Method for tackling risk and in so doing, help people move away from mechanistic, rationalistic and behaviourist paradigms common to the safety industry.

iCue is not anchored to traditional paper-based thinking, nor engineering or behaviourist paradigms/designs. iCue emerges out of Semiotic and Poetic thinking and stands in contrast to reductionist methods common in safety. Many organisations are using this method and discovering its benefits in tackling risk.

When people learn to let go of traditional approaches to safety and learn to unlearn the indoctrination of the safety curriculum, they soon discover in iCue a practical, creative and positive method for tackling risk.

We have explained iCue several times before (https://safetyrisk.net/risk-icue-video/) but here is a refreshing presentation of iCue by Nippin Anand.

iCue Tutorial by Nippin Anand

iCue looks simple and it is, but it can be used to be as complex as you want. This requires extensive learning, practice and coaching but when developed, provides the most amazing insights into the nature of risk and culture.

iCue is a simple quadrant framework that uses three icons (Workspace, Headspace and Groupspace) to direct listening. There is no preconceived assumptions or design that limits thinking or directs thinking to engineering and behaviourist out comes. Once learned, the safety advisor is free to follow the needs of ‘the other’, visually map elements and allow the other to direct the agenda according to their unconscious self.

This method is trade-marked and copyright to Dr Long and this ensures that the method is undertaken following education and learning in SPoR. This ensures the integrity of the method and outcomes. There are many people across the globe who are available to coach in iCue.

Recording iCue is also as simple as taking a picture, which is just as valid a record as any other risk assessment on the safety market. Indeed, such a record enables better recall and relational understanding after long delays in time and so assists the demands of the regulation if anything ever gets to a court room.

If you want to learn iCue it is as easy as an email and Dr Long who will put you in touch with a mentor in your area. Write to robertlong2@mac.com