Embracing Differences

This podcast discussion represents two people from different parts of the globe with different backgrounds looking for common ground.   As you listen you can initially hear different perspectives and perceptions. It felt that we began to synchronize at some point and eventually arrived at the same place. It should not be surprising. There are 8 billion of us on the planet. While we all may look completely different; we are designed exactly the same.   When we move to defend our belief’s, we often sacrifice the ability to move forward and seek the learning that is necessary to raise the discussion to higher understanding. Curiosity initiates logic, reason and intuition. Defense moves us to justify and rationalize a belief or an action in the past. Forward is the future we are trying to shape. Backward is the past we cannot change.   We own our belief’s. There is no reason to defend them.  Someone with different belief’s is not a threat to ours. Someone else cannot steal our belief. However, if we are curious and listen to others, we can then decide for ourselves if new information somehow may shape our change our current belief. We don’t have to like another’s perspective or their idea. We just have to listen.   As you listen to this podcast, see if you can hear how the different perspectives begin to align. We can release and discover potential in each other, or we can suppress it. We have that power.   The question is, are you willing to walk through the door?  

This podcast started off with reflecting on the power of embracing fallibility. Dr John Flach, my guest, then brought his own experiences and how a renowned scientist helped him and supported him when he experienced a setback in life. We then spoke about kindness and briefly touched on the importance of social resilience. The discussion then moved from kindness to humility and the importance of humility in understanding and learning from surprises. From humility we moved into courage and why courage is so important to break free from dogma and become critical thinkers. We ended this session with the importance of metaphysics, meaning making and methodology. Our discussion ended with why we need to be more kind and humble to pursue science.

This podcast questions the centrality of Behaviourism in our lives, and how in our quest for simplifying human behaviour into a particular trait, we can (unknowingly) do so much harm to the others. The podcast is based on a collection of stories from my personal lives. A lot of these stories are reflections from everyday life when we learn to live in awareness. I call them moments in Synchronicity.

We hear every now and then that methodology does not matter, it is a topic for academic discussions. What really matters is results, success and outcome. Is that true? I just returned from Canberra and wrote a paper on this topic. I hope this podcast will make you think and reflect on your own methodology in risk and safety and why we should talk about methodology.   

Greg Smith, author of 'Paper Safe,' enlightens listeners about the intricacies of critical risk management. He emphasizes the necessity for organizations to focus on significant risks to prevent major disasters, especially in industries like shipping. The conversation also highlights the importance of imagination and critical thinking in safety audits, encouraging a culture of thorough analysis. Additionally, Smith delves into the challenges of navigating assumptions in safety practices, advocating for open dialogues despite time constraints.

Greg Smith, an influential author known for his insights on safety and risk management, dives into the complexities of his latest work, Proving Safety. He discusses the critical gap between legal compliance and true safety management, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of risk. The conversation highlights the variability of safety practices in workplaces, the disconnect between safety protocols and legal frameworks, and the pursuit of meaningful safety metrics that go beyond mere data collection. A must-listen for anyone passionate about enhancing safety!

Greg Smith, a health and safety law expert and author, shares his journey from law to operational safety in the oil and gas sector. He discusses the disconnect between organizational priorities and genuine safety practices. Personal experiences play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of workplace safety, as illustrated through impactful anecdotes. The conversation shifts to how advancements in communication and psychologically safe environments are vital for frontline workers, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based discussions to tackle critical risks.

This podcast is a discussion between Ron Gant and Nippin Anand about learning within the context of accident investigations. Ron and Nippin discuss the underlying beliefs, myths and the narratives of accident investigations and what it takes to learn from accidents. The podcast is based on Nippin’s recent book, ‘Are we learning from accidents?’.     Further details about the book can be found here: https://novellus.solutions/product/are-we-learning-from-accidents-nippin-anand/

In this podcast, Greg and Nippin discuss how can we learn from accidents. Greg asks Nippin a range of questions including who needs to learn, why we need to learn, and whether or not learning is even an issue of importance within organisations. You will discover some uncomfortable truths and deep-seated beliefs about how investigations are conducted and why we are so far away from learning from accidents.

In this podcast, Nippin speaks with Ivan Pupulidy and Crista Vesel about their latest book, ‘Human and Organisational Potential.’ The two authors discuss the motivation to write the book and the practical benefits that it brings to the risk and safety world which, in recent years, has become increasingly conscious about understanding and improving the human condition at work.  You can order their book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Human-Organization-Potential-Ivan-Pupulidy/dp/B0CQ477B5F/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=2UIL4MMCBZZ55&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3ua2ZUpC5HER7YpS6A1Y5gv6dwF1lfxjI50SWN9KHKQ4ZP5UnMz5-WNwU2MHiBjN.Gn63gIh8L78EMaqukBdKpziseYctWQySILIOqxqvSmw&dib_tag=se&keywords=ivan+pupulidy&qid=1714564069&sprefix=%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1-fkmr0