PreAccident Investigation Podcast

PAPod 512 - Picking Up Pennies in Front of a Steamroller: Understanding High Risk and Low Reward

Hey everyone, Todd Conklin here from the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast. As we transition into the beautiful autumn season in New Mexico, where the air is filled with the delightful scents of roasting chilies and pinon pine, I've been reflecting on the concept of super high risk with super low reward.
In this episode, we delve into the intriguing idea of "picking up pennies in front of a steamroller," a metaphor often used in investments to describe gathering low value in front of advancing high risk. How does this apply to our daily operations and risk assessments? Join me as I explore the balance between risk and reward, and how transparency in complex systems can help us make better decisions.
We'll discuss the importance of recognizing low-value activities that carry high risks and how organizations can evaluate whether these risks are worth the rewards. This episode encourages you to think critically about your work processes and to constantly develop your risk assessment skills.
So, take a moment to reflect on your own "thinking place," understand that mental work can be exhausting, and let's dive into this fascinating topic together. Stay safe, be kind, and keep learning!

Safety Moment - The Complex Nature of Truth: A Philosophical Safety Moment

In this episode of "Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment," Todd Conklin delves into the intricate and often debated concept of truth. He explores how different perspectives can lead to varying interpretations of what is considered true, using a relatable anecdote about airport security lines to illustrate his point.Through this thought-provoking discussion, Todd challenges listeners to reflect on how personal experiences shape our understanding of truth. He emphasizes that multiple truths can coexist, even when they appear contradictory. This brief yet profound safety moment encourages us to be open-minded, kind, and considerate of others' perspectives.Join Todd for this enlightening episode and remember to stay curious, compassionate, and safe in all your endeavors.

PAPod 511 - The Fox and the Hedgehog: Unraveling Risk Perception

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, Todd dives deep into the intriguing world of risk perception. He explores the philosophical and practical differences between viewing risk through the lens of the individual versus the organization. Todd discusses the timeless debate between the foxes, who know many things and embrace nuance, and the hedgehogs, who know one big thing and focus intensely on it.Join Todd as he examines how these differing cognitive styles impact our understanding and management of risk. He delves into the importance of balancing these perspectives to foster a risk-informed and competent workforce, drawing insights from psychology, engineering, and even Greek philosophy. This thought-provoking episode challenges the conventional views on risk and encourages listeners to rethink their approach to uncertainty in the workplace.

Safety Moment - Practice Makes Perfect? Rethinking the Phrase

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast Safety Moment with Todd. In this episode, Todd delves into the well-known phrase "practice makes perfect" and offers a fresh perspective on its true meaning.
While many of us have heard and used this phrase countless times, Todd explains why we don't practice to achieve perfection but rather to navigate a world full of imperfections. He highlights the importance of building capacity to handle high-risk, high-consequence situations through practice and simulation.
Join Todd as he emphasizes the significance of practicing in an imperfect world to be prepared for variations and unforeseen challenges. This short and sweet safety moment encourages us to learn, have fun, and be kind and safe in our daily lives.

PAPod 510 - Understanding the Difference: Prevention vs. Recovery in Safety Management

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with Todd Conklin! In this episode, Todd shares his recent travel adventures and dives into a crucial discussion about the distinction between prevention and recovery in the realm of safety management.Fresh from a trip to Europe, Todd reflects on the challenges of managing safety in organizations, especially after catastrophic events. He emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus from merely preventing accidents to enhancing the capacity for recovery when things go wrong.Listeners will gain valuable insights into how leaders can better understand and manage the aftermath of serious incidents, ensuring that their organizations become more resilient and capable of handling unexpected failures. Todd also teases a potential future discussion with Eric Holnagle on the nuanced concepts of safety and safely, promising a deep dive into this fascinating topic.Join Todd as he unpacks these critical ideas, offering practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives to help organizations navigate the complexities of safety management.Don't miss this episode if you're looking to enhance your understanding of safety, leadership, and organizational culture. Tune in, learn something new, and be part of the conversation!

Safety Moment - Why is Trust Like Shampoo?

Get Caught Trying to Make the World Better!
Best Safety Podcast, Safety Program, Safety Storytelling, Investigations, Human Performance, Safety Differently, Operational Excellence, Resilience Engineering, Safety and Resilience Incentives...
Give this a listen.
Thanks for listening and tell your friends.
See you on Audible...all my books are up on there.
One of them is read by a British dude - it is like a Harry Potter book!
Have a great day as well.

PAPod 509 - Unveiling Leadership and Safety Capacity with Martha Acosta

Join Todd Conklin on the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast for an insightful discussion with the fabulous Martha Acosta. This episode delves into Martha's fascination with the liberal arts and her recent seminar on "2001: A Space Odyssey." They explore Kubrick's central theme of evolution and its relevance to leadership and organizational development.
Martha shares her journey of writing a book focused on building safety capacity within organizations. She emphasizes the critical role of leadership in creating and shaping meaning within a system. Through engaging case studies, such as the Columbia disaster and the Chilean mining disaster, Martha illustrates how leadership practices can significantly impact an organization's ability to recover from failures.
The conversation touches on the paradoxical nature of leadership, the importance of developing external perspectives, and the systemic nature of soft skills like influence and psychological safety. Martha introduces the CHIP tool (Consequences, Habits, Identity, Power) as a method to uncover underlying issues in organizational behavior.
Tune in to discover how leaders can develop emotional resilience, create capacity, and foster environments where innovation and safety thrive. Whether you're a formal leader or an informal influencer, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities.

Safety Moment - The Power of Weak Signals in Safety Management

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment with your host, Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd explores the concept of signal strength and its impact on workplace safety. Using the example of crossing a street and encountering poorly timed crosswalk signals, he illustrates how weak signals can indicate underlying issues in a system.
Todd emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing these weak signals to enhance safety. He encourages leaders and managers to listen to their workers and diagnose problems before they escalate into significant events. By improving signal strength, we can create stronger, safer systems.
Tune in to learn how to spot weak signals and make your organization safer. Remember, your role is to listen, identify, and act to ensure a secure working environment. Have fun, stay curious, and be safe!

PAPod 508 - Leadership and Capacity: A Deep Dive into Modern Management

In this engaging episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin teams up with leadership expert Jennifer Long for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership and capacity in today's complex organizational environments. Together, they explore how leaders can build confidence and capacity within their teams to foster innovation and resilience.Jennifer shares insights from her recent leadership development program, while Todd delves into the importance of monitoring capacity rather than just measuring it. They discuss the balance between efficiency and thoroughness, and how leaders can shift their focus from simply solving problems to understanding and analyzing them deeply.Tune in for an enlightening discussion on how modern leadership can adapt to ever-changing challenges, the significance of creating safe-to-fail environments, and the critical role of curiosity and learning in effective management.

Safety Moment - The Power of Context: Free Will vs. Predeterminism in Workplace Safety

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Podcast Safety Moment! In this episode, we delve into the age-old debate of free will versus predeterminism, exploring how individual behavior is influenced by organizational systems, processes, and culture.Our host challenges the notion of free choice in the workplace, arguing that context plays a significant role in shaping our decisions. From the clothes we wear to the products we use, many of our choices are influenced by the environment around us.Join us as we discuss the powerful impact of context on workplace safety and the importance of understanding these influences. Learn something new, have fun, and stay safe!