PreAccident Investigation Podcast

Brent Sutton, a safety and organizational resilience expert, joins Todd Conklin to explore the future of safety thinking. They discuss the decline of lean and TQM, how commodification stifles innovation, and the vital role of weak signals in fostering resilience. The conversation takes a lighthearted turn with breakfast burritos and debates over cheese, but the core message emphasizes the need for small, 'safe-to-fail' experiments and leaders' responsibility to navigate workplace complexities. Staying curious about evolving safety practices is key to preventing stagnation.

Recorded live at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, this episode features a wide-ranging conversation between Todd and Andy Baker about learning, safety culture, and leadership influence. They dig into HOP and related safety approaches, debate top-down versus middle-out change, discuss the importance of language and unlearning, and explore how to turn belief into practical skill and behavior. The episode offers real-world insights on piloting change, engaging leaders and middle managers, and learning from others who have adapted these ideas in novel ways.

Tiny Todd Conklin joins the No Way Out podcast to explore Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), high-reliability organizing, and how safety emerges from complex systems rather than individual mistakes. They critique traditional investigations, surveys, and risk matrices, and discuss practical ideas for building capacity, worker agency, psychological safety, and resilient operations.

The discussion tackles the alarming issue of children left in hot cars, emphasizing that such failures are often unintentional. It encourages a cultural shift towards understanding and implementing preventative measures, like technology and visual reminders. Strategies to foster safety awareness replace blame, prioritizing system-level changes. Additionally, there's a look at generational differences in workplace ghosting and the evolving challenges employers face in hiring, spotlighting the need for mutual understanding in the workplace dynamics.

Lauren Mooney, author of 'High Reliability in Action,' joins the discussion to unveil how High Reliability Organizing (HRO) concepts can be practically applied. She shares her unique 'Speaking In' approach and introduces nine guiding questions for fostering safety. The conversation humorously dives into animal avatars, highlighting traits like humility and curiosity that can transform teamwork across industries. Mooney emphasizes leadership's pivotal role in creating a safety culture and adapting to challenges, especially in high-stakes environments like healthcare.

Lisa Zegan, a seasoned patient safety leader and former emergency room nurse, dives deep into the tragic 2017 Vanderbilt medication error. She emphasizes the dangers of criminalizing mistakes, arguing it stifles learning in healthcare. Zegan critiques how design flaws and billing pressures contribute to medical errors, advocating for a cultural shift towards transparency and systemic reforms. The conversation also touches on the fallacy of 'zero harm' and the crucial need for collaboration across hospitals to enhance patient safety. Zegan's insights shine a light on how we can transform healthcare for the better.

In a dynamic discussion, Tom Krause, founder of Behavioral Science Technology and a pioneer in behavioral-based safety, shares insights on the evolution of safety leadership. He emphasizes how leadership decisions directly shape workplace safety culture and outcomes. The conversation touches on the relevance of W. Edwards Deming's principles and critiques traditional safety models. They explore the crucial link between leadership and organizational culture, alongside the exciting yet risky intersection of AI and safety practices. Krause's transformative ideas illuminate the future of safety leadership.

Welcome to an engaging episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with your host Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd delves into a thought-provoking discussion about the evolving role of AI in our workplaces and lives with guest expert Dox Brown, also known as Drew. Together, they explore the intricacies of artificial intelligence beyond surveillance products, focusing on its positive potential as a strategic partner in understanding and enhancing human tasks. Throughout this conversation, Dox Brown, an enthusiast in AI's educational implications, shares insights into how AI can augment human roles rather than replace them. Discover AI's capability to handle large data analysis, predict patterns, and assist in creative processes, transforming how we interact with technology in our day-to-day routines. This episode challenges common fears by offering a refreshing perspective on AI's role as a tool of kindness and empathy, encouraging a broader dialogue about its place in future workplaces. Tune in for a fascinating journey into how AI may redefine human-oriented work and what it truly means to collaborate with intelligent systems.

Jennifer Long, co-author of "Workers Are the Solution, Not the Problem," discusses her revolutionary insights on leadership and workforce dynamics. She emphasizes the need for leaders to see workers as assets rather than obstacles. The conversation dives into the evolution of leadership paradigms and the importance of adaptability in modern business. Long also touches on the significance of self-awareness and connection in enhancing leader-employee relationships, advocating for a fresh approach in an ever-changing workforce.

Join Todd Conklin in the final episode of the Pre-Extended Investigation Podcast as he hosts an insightful conversation with Shane Bush and Professor David Woods. This concluding episode offers a compelling discussion on the evolution of safety practices across industries, the impact of leadership on organizational sustainability, and the challenges faced by modern safety paradigms. Dive into the nuances of human and organizational learning as Shane and Todd reflect on their decades-long journey, touching upon personal anecdotes and professional insights. Professor Woods contributes his expertise on the complexities of maintaining safety in aviation and beyond, highlighting the essential interplay of technology, human factors, and leadership in high-stakes environments. This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of the past, present, and future of safety and learning—an invaluable listen for anyone interested in organizational excellence.