PreAccident Investigation Podcast

PAPod 517 - From Kansas to the World: Todd Conklin’s Journey and the Evolution of Human Performance

Welcome to a special episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast, hosted temporarily by Jeff Lith. Join Jeff as he interviews Todd Conklin, the most special guest of the pod, and delves into Todd's fascinating journey from a small town in Kansas to becoming a leading voice in human performance and organizational change.
In this episode, Todd shares his experiences growing up in Kansas and Colorado, his educational journey, and his early career, including his significant work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. They discuss the evolution of human performance principles, the impact of Everett Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory, and the challenges of organizational change.
Listen in as Todd and Jeff explore the importance of thinking and acting our way into change, the precarious nature of organizational transformations, and the critical role of leadership in maintaining progress. This episode is packed with insights, practical advice, and a powerful concluding list of key principles for implementing change.

Safety Moment - The Vital Role of Learning in Organizational Success

In this episode of Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment, Todd Conklin explores the fundamental difference between successful and failing organizations: learning. He emphasizes that the ability to learn from within is crucial for organizational resilience and operational excellence.
Conklin explains that organizations slow to learn are prone to failure and brittleness, regardless of having similar components like people, work environment, and tasks. He argues that learning should not be seen as optional but as a vital necessity for any organization aiming to thrive and avoid brittleness.
Join Todd Conklin in this brief yet insightful episode as he underscores the importance of fostering a learning culture within organizations to achieve sustained success and resilience. Remember to learn something new every day and always prioritize safety and kindness.

PAPod 516 - New Ideas for Old Problems: Navigating Sustainable Change

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin shares his recent experiences at the Winfield Bluegrass Festival, discussing the highs and lows of the event and an insightful conversation on risk and chance.
Conklin then dives into an exciting new topic: his latest book, "New Ideas for Old Problems: A Human Performance Approach to Sustainable Change." He outlines the book's unique format, focusing on practical lists and insights from experts like Edgar Schein and Everett Rogers.
The episode explores the complexities of organizational change, the importance of continuous improvement, and the role of leadership in fostering sustainable change. Conklin emphasizes the necessity of adapting strategies to different groups within an organization, from innovators to laggards, using Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory.
Join Conklin as he offers a sneak peek into his book and discusses the ongoing journey of making meaningful and lasting improvements in organizations.

Safety Moment - Investigations Learn, Corrective Actions Fix

Hi, everybody, and welcome to the Pre-Accident Podcast Safety Moment with your host, Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd delves into the crucial difference between investigations and corrective actions in safety management.
Investigations are meant to learn from incidents, while corrective actions are the steps taken to fix the identified problems. Todd emphasizes the importance of understanding this distinction to ensure deeper systemic issues are addressed, rather than just surface-level fixes.
Join Todd as he explains how focusing on learning during investigations can lead to more effective corrective actions and ultimately, a safer work environment. Don't miss this insightful safety moment!

PAPod 515 - Engaging Insights from the Santa Fe Workshop Q&A Session

Welcome to part two of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast hosted by Todd Conklin. This episode features an engaging open question and answer session from the 2024 Santa Fe Workshop.Listen in as Todd, along with industry experts Mike Peters, Martha Acosta, Jennifer Long, Bob Edwards, and Andrea Baker, delve into insightful discussions on improving workplace safety, the importance of trust within teams, and how to effectively manage and predict organizational risks.Throughout the episode, the panelists share practical advice, real-world examples, and innovative strategies to foster a proactive safety culture and enhance operational learning. Whether you're a seasoned safety professional or new to the field, this episode offers valuable takeaways for everyone.Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and stay ahead in your safety journey. Tune in now!

Safety Moment - The Power of Weak Signals in Safety Management

Hi everybody and welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment. I'm your host, Todd Conklin.
Have you ever crossed a street and pushed the crosswalk button, only to find the signal changes too quickly for you to safely cross? This common issue is an example of poor signal strength. In today's episode, we delve into the concept of signal strength in human factors and its importance in workplace safety.
We'll explore how identifying weak signals—like unclear instructions or confusing signs—can help you diagnose problems before they escalate into significant events. By listening to workers and addressing these issues, you can strengthen your system and enhance overall safety.
Join us to learn how to spot weak signals and improve signal strength, making your workplace safer and more efficient.
That's the safety moment for today. Have as much fun as you possibly can, learn something new every single day, and for goodness' sakes, be smart.

PAPod 514 - Insights and Discussions from the Santa Fe Conference

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin shares the vibrant discussions and insightful Q&A sessions from a recent conference held in Santa Fe. This three-day event brought together a diverse group of experts and professionals to explore the fundamentals of human performance, leadership impact, and practical applications in safety practices.
The first day delved into the evolution of human performance over the past 25 years, featuring voices like Tony Mishara, Shane Bush, and Ron Gant. The second day focused on leadership, psychological safety, accountability, and mental health, with contributions from experts like Jennifer Long and Mike Peters. The final day was dedicated to practical applications, leadership denial, and an engaging panel discussion with industry leaders.
Join us for a deep dive into the key takeaways and thought-provoking questions raised during the conference. Whether you missed the event or want to revisit the highlights, this episode offers valuable insights and stories that will resonate with safety professionals and leaders alike.

Safety Moment - The Power of Success Stories in Safety

Hi, everybody, and welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment, Operational Excellence Moment. I'm your host, Todd Conklin. How are you today? I hope you're good.
Today's episode focuses on a simple yet powerful message about safety and storytelling. Todd discusses how the way we collect and distribute data can sometimes lead us to focus too much on negative safety stories. These stories often highlight what went wrong, with the hope that others will learn from these mistakes and avoid similar pitfalls.
However, Todd suggests that this approach may not be as effective as we think. Instead, he advocates for sharing success stories—stories that illustrate what went right. By focusing on successful outcomes, we can better understand the conditions that lead to success and teach others to manage these conditions effectively.
This shift in narrative can help us move away from managing unexpected failures to creating environments where success is more likely. It's a simple idea, but its time has come. By sharing what works, we can all learn to be safer and more effective in our practices.
That's your safety moment for today. I hope you learned something new. Have as much fun as you possibly can and, for goodness' sake, be safe.

PAPod 513 - Do We Need a 6th Principle?

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with your host, Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd dives into the ongoing discussion about the potential addition of a sixth principle to the long-standing five principles of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). The conversation explores whether "Control Saves Lives" should be considered a new principle or if it remains a practice, and how this impacts organizational safety strategies.
Joined by Brent Sutton and Jeff Lyth, Todd navigates the complexities of principles versus practices, the evolution of HOP, and the importance of having guiding principles that shape organizational behavior. The episode also touches on the historical context of these principles and the necessity for organizations to adapt to an ever-changing, complex world.
Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and seeks to refine the way we think about safety and risk management in the workplace.

Safety Moment - The Map is Not the Territory: Understanding Procedures in Real Work

Hey, everybody! In this eye-opening episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast Safety Moment, we delve into a profound concept: "The map is not the territory." This idea, originating from Alfred Korzybski, highlights the crucial difference between models of reality and reality itself.We explore how procedures, like maps, serve as important guides but cannot fully encompass the dynamic nature of actual work. Workers must adapt in real-time, using procedures as stabilizing documents while making necessary adjustments to handle variations in the work environment.Tune in to understand why it's essential to recognize that GPS is not driving, and procedures are not the work—they are merely models. Learn something new, be kind, and most importantly, stay safe!