In this episode, I'm joined by Mike Mason, an experienced fast-jet pilot, flight instructor and The Human Diver trainer, to explore the often-overlooked complexity of human factors in high-risk environments. Mike brings a fascinating perspective, blending his experience in the Royal Air Force and his passion for diving, to shed light on how decisions are made under pressure. We dive into a reported incident involving an MQ-9 Reaper UAV crash and dissect the layers of context that often go unnoticed in simple “first stories.” Together, we discuss fatigue, local rationality, and the influence of organisational culture on decision-making in critical situations.

What struck me in this conversation is how much we focus on blame rather than curiosity. Mike and I unpack the gaps in traditional incident reporting and the missed opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow. It’s a thought-provoking discussion on the messiness of real-world operations and why understanding the conditions that shape behaviour is key to improving outcomes. Whether you’re in aviation, diving, or any other high-consequence industry, this episode is packed with insights on how we can move beyond ticking boxes and start building a culture of genuine learning.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book Recommendation: Field Guide to Understanding Human Error by Sidney Decker
• Mike Mason’s Website: On Target Teaming
• The Human Diver: Learn More

Accident Report from USAF: https://www.afjag.af.mil/Portals/77/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rE1pY1KpuPw%3D&portalid=77

Research:

What you look for is what you find - Lundberg et al. 

What you find is not always what you fix - Lundberg at al.

Connect With Us:

• Gareth: LinkedIn
• Mike Mason: LinkedIn

Find me here:

Human in the System 

Transforming teams. Unlocking human potential.

Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"

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