In this engaging conversation, Professor David Slater, an expert in neuroscience and safety, connects the dots between human behavior and organizational resilience. He compares the precision of Formula 1 pit crews to the adaptability required in safety protocols, revealing how humans often modify systems in practice. Slater challenges traditional views on 'human error,' stressing that perception plays a crucial role in decision-making. He also discusses how thermodynamics and entropy can enhance understanding of organizational safety, advocating for a science-based approach to complex systems.
01:02:14
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
F1 Pit Crews Cut Corners
Formula 1 pit crews achieve sub-two-second pit stops by cutting corners and adapting on the fly.
This real-world adaptation contrasts with strict choreography and is the essence of safety in complex systems.
insights INSIGHT
Entropy and Quasi-Equilibrium
Life and safety depend on maintaining quasi-equilibrium states amid increasing entropy.
The human brain manages this by predicting and adapting to complex, emergent environmental changes.
insights INSIGHT
Safety as Stability Through Change
Safety should be viewed through homeostasis and allostasis, emphasizing stability through change.
Control systems set parameters that humans learn via social and family experience to maintain safety.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Step into the fascinating world where neuroscience meets safety in this mind-expanding conversation with Professor David Slater. Beyond conventional safety thinking, we explore how our brains actually construct reality and what this means for creating truly resilient organizations.
The discussion begins with an unexpected parallel between Formula 1 pit crews and workplace safety. Professor Slater reveals how these highly choreographed teams regularly "cut corners" to achieve sub-two-second pit stops—highlighting the universal truth that humans adapt systems to meet demands, regardless of formal procedures. This adaptation, far from being problematic, forms the core of what makes systems work in reality versus theory.
What makes this episode particularly valuable is Slater's masterful connection between thermodynamics, entropy, and organizational safety. He guides us through a compelling framework where safety isn't simply the absence of accidents but the maintenance of quasi-equilibrium states in complex systems. The human brain serves as the ultimate control system in this equation, constantly working to predict and respond to environmental changes.
Perhaps most provocatively, Slater challenges the very notion of "human error," calling it "too facile" and "a get-out-of-jail card" organizations use to avoid addressing systemic issues. Instead, he offers a more nuanced understanding of how perception shapes decision-making, explaining why two people can experience the same situation completely differently. This insight alone transforms how we might approach incident investigations and safety culture development.
The conversation extends into practical territory, examining how organizations can foster the conditions for adaptation, psychological safety, and high performance. Rather than relying on checklists alone, Slater advocates for systems thinking that accommodates human variability while ensuring everyone understands how their role contributes to the larger whole.
Ready to challenge your assumptions about safety, perception, and human performance? This episode will leave you with practical insights and a deeper appreciation for how neurosci
Stay in the Loop.Don't have time to listen to the podcast? Want to make some snowmobiles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive deeper insights on current and past episodes. Recent podcasts where you’ll also find Mark and Ponch:
No Way Out