Ep.4 - Abhijith Balakrishnan. Crimes of Obedience: Well-meaning auditors in dysfunctional systems

Nov 22, 2024

Abhijith Balakrishnan, a master mariner and safety manager, shares his expertise on maritime safety and auditing challenges. He highlights the gap between compliance and real safety practices, arguing that traditional audits often miss the dynamics at sea. Abhijith emphasizes the need for a shift towards understanding operational contexts rather than just following regulations. He discusses building trust within organizations and advocates for a holistic approach to safety, incorporating insights from sailors to enhance auditing processes.

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Intro

00:00 • 4min

Navigating Audit Complexities in Maritime Operations

04:18 • 23min

Navigating the Auditor's Dilemma: Compliance vs. Improvement

27:23 • 3min

Understanding Context in Compliance and Safety Practices

30:42 • 3min

Shifting Mindsets in the Maritime Industry

34:04 • 2min

Shifting Perspectives: Understanding Systems Over Individuals

35:38 • 6min

In today’s episode Gareth and Abhijith delve into the complexities of maritime safety, focusing on the audit process and its implications. They discuss the dichotomy between first and second stories in safety management, emphasising how audits often fail to capture the true dynamics of operations at sea.

The conversation highlights the challenges faced by auditors, the influence of regulations on safety practices, and the need for a shift towards a more nuanced understanding of safety that goes beyond mere compliance. Abhijith shares insights from his experiences in ship management and safety, advocating for a more holistic approach to auditing that considers the realities of the maritime environment.

In this conversation, Abhijith Balakrishnan discusses the challenges and limitations of auditing practices in the maritime industry, emphasising the need for a shift in focus from compliance to understanding the context in which seafarers operate. He highlights the judgmental nature of audits, the lack of innovation due to strict adherence to procedures, and the role of auditors in system improvement. The discussion also touches on the importance of building trust and fostering open communication within organisations, as well as recommending resources for further learning.

Links and downloads

"Crimes of Obedience: Well-meaning auditors in dysfunctional systems" - Abhi's thesis.
The Design Of Everyday Things by Don Norman
“Humble Inquiry” by Edgar Schein
“Turn The Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders” by David Marquet

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