Embracing Differences

Less than a month ago, the long-awaited 𝗪𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 was released by the Court of Investigation, Mauritius. The report cites the following as the primary causes of the accident:1) crew negligence to sail close to the island to obtain the phone signal, 2) consumption of alcohol by the captain before groundingand,3) the chief officer not using the appropriate large scale chart when navigating close to the coast.Both the captain and the chief officer have been charged with gross negligence and culpability. The investigation authorities have formally requested the administration to withdraw captain's certificate of competence.It is rather unfortunate that a 223-page comes to this convenient conclusion. In this podcast, I present an alternative view of the accident. Instead of a simplified narrative that is directed at blaming the crew members, I have made an attempt to question the methodology (and the language) used in the accident report and illustrated the biases and assumptions of the investigation team in analysing the accident and compiling the report. In my view, all the three contributing factors that led to the accident presented by the investigation agency are highly questionable, and when we dig deeper, we come to a very different conclusion of this accident.About me:Dr. Nippin Anand is the Founder and CEO of Novellus Solutions, a consultancy specializing in human-centred approaches to learning, risk and social decision making. He is a former master mariner with an MSc in Economics and a Ph.D. in Social Sciences and Anthropology. Nippin brings a Transdisciplinary lens to the challenges of work and organising spanning: the humanities, social psychology, mythology, semiotics, anthropology and philosophy.

In this conversation, Nippin and Frank delve into the significance of safety culture within organizations, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to risk management. They discuss the importance of communication, listening, and understanding language in fostering a positive culture. The conversation highlights the impact of miscommunication and the necessity of reflection in improving organizational dynamics. Through experiential learning and practical exercises, they aim to enhance cultural intelligence and promote better relationships in high-risk environments.The podcast was produced to promote a workshop on Safety Culture in Calgary from 20-21st October. the details about the workshop can be found here. https://novellus.solutions/mec-events/culture-and-risk-intelligence/

Where do you look for the meaning of words? Dictionaries, I guess? Word meanings are not to be found in dictionaries; words meanings are found in metaphors. All language is metaphorical, and we don’t just speak metaphorically, we live by our metaphors.  In this podcast, David and Nippin compare a handful of metaphors in Banking and Maritime. Through this comparison they realise that words don’t just create worlds, but they also create divides between worldviews. Too often, we miss a crucial point in organising - you cannot organise me and I will never become part of your organisation if we don’t share the same worldview. Such is the power of metaphors. 

In this podcast, I discuss the impact of binary and absolute slogans on perception and behaviour, by drawing upon "Context is everything" as an example. These slogans undermine critical thinking and promote an absolute view where individuals are rendered powerless. I share a case where a workshop participant criticised my methods for not addressing structural issues, highlighting the industry's focus on efficiency over empathy. I emphasise the importance of critical thinking, challenging assumptions, and recognising the dialectical relationship between context and behaviour. I encourage listeners to be mindful of slogans and to embrace change and learning.

In this podcast, I share some thoughts about the limitations of root cause analysis as a method (or a tool) for investigations and audits based on a social experiment. Linear, deductive reasoning has many limitations because it seeks simplistic answers to ethical and political problems that are inherently messy, non-linear and largely operate in the unconscious space. You can read my blogs and books if you wish to go deeper into this topic.

Dive into a captivating discussion on the power of experiential learning to grasp culture beyond mere definitions. The talk emphasizes the importance of transforming familiar surroundings into new perspectives through immersive experiences. Attendees will explore diverse cultural settings in Calgary, from a church to a Buddhist monastery, enhancing their cultural understanding. The conversation reveals how observational learning can significantly impact workplace culture and safety, encouraging active participation in reshaping organizational dynamics.

Often people involved in accidents will tell us that the process of accident investigation was far more stressful and even traumatic than the experience of the accident. Our models and methods of investigation end up causing more harm than good to people.In this video, we will learn how to reconcile trauma, healing and learning in an accident investigation not only from the point of view of those involved but also for those responsible for investigating the accidents. How do we reconcile learning and healing? Give this podcast a listen. This video follows from my years of research and practice and a book that I have recently published titled, Are We Learning from Accidents? The book is based on the true story of the passenger ship Costa Concordia that went aground and resulted in the death of 32 people off the coast of Italy in 2012. You can find out more about the book by visiting my website:https://nippinanand.com/You can find out more about our future events by visiting:https://novellus.solutions/events/

Dive into a gripping narrative surrounding the Zero Harm ideology in the maritime industry. A seafarer recounts the heartbreaking search for his missing brother, a captain lost at sea, shedding light on bureaucratic struggles and the emotional toll of such tragedies. Explore the dangers of perfectionism in safety protocols, emphasizing that the pursuit of zero can stifle creativity and overlook human fallibility. This thought-provoking discussion challenges listeners to reconsider the balance between aspiration and reality in safety practices.

The conversation delves into the complex nature of safety as a value within organizations. Through a personal narrative from a young woman aboard a ship, it highlights the gap between theoretical safety values and real-life experiences. The discussion challenges listeners to reconsider how personal realities shape their understanding of safety, justice, and integrity. It emphasizes that while safety is often declared as a value, the unpredictable nature of human behavior complicates this notion.

This podcast is based on the work of the American Anthropologist Ernest Becker's perennial thesis - 'the denial of death'. In this podcast, Professor Sheldon Solomon explains how death anxiety, which is unique to the human species, leads to a quest for meaning, self-esteem and cultural worldviews. Solomon explains why it is so important for us take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding culture and why we must synthesise the wisdom of ages and sages and combine it with science if we truly want to make sense of human behaviour. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecYC_Y1UnE8