Below the waterline: Critical factors influencing safety performance 21-March-2014 Joseph L. White DuPont Sustainable Solutions (DSS)
Today s Objectives Below the waterline Provide an expansive / holistic review of factors impacting actions and behaviors Discuss the significance of below the waterline influences Provide actionable steps that can be taken to more effectively influence actions and behaviors 3/28/2014 2
Behaviors Decisions Judgment Interpretation Sensory input see, hear, taste, touch, smell 3/28/2014 3
Actions and Behaviors Most behaviors occur automatically They are an intuitive response to a given situation or circumstance Influenced by past experiences and our feelings associated with them 3/28/2014 4
Actions and Behaviors Automatic / intuitive behaviors: Eating / menu selection Taste Driving habits Putting on a seat belt Following distances Workplace habits Holding handrails Use of PPE 3/28/2014 5
Actions and Behaviors Most injuries involve perceived low risk / high reward circumstances. This is also reflected in injury data from various industries. 3/28/2014 6
Injuries & Illnesses Cases With Days Away from Work Rate per 100 Employees* 3/28/2014 7
Behaviors Decisions Judgment Interpretation Sensory input see, hear, taste, touch, smell 3/28/2014 8
Sensory Input World experienced through 5 senses Millions of bits of information incoming Filtration process occurs Limitations of conscious mind (estimated to be less than 100 bits of information in any given second.) 3/28/2014 9
The Filtering Process 3/28/2014 10
Behaviors Decisions Judgment Interpretation Sensory input see, hear, taste, touch, smell 3/28/2014 11
Interpretation Is it: novel new good bad important Past experience 3/28/2014 12
Is it novel? Is it important? Is it new? Is it good? Is it bad? 3/28/2014 13
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Interpretation Time pressures reduce the quality of interpretation / decision / action We look for patterns, which can lead to shortcuts in our interpretation 3/28/2014 15
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Behaviors Decisions Judgment Interpretation Sensory input see, hear, taste, touch, smell 3/28/2014 17
Judgment Perceived costs / benefits. Anticipated outcomes Our emotional response is an input into decision; also known as a gut feeling This is an automatic response and occurs very quickly 3/28/2014 18
Judgment Past experience weighs heavily, which explains why some at-risk behaviors or shortcuts (occurring in the past w/out adverse consequences) become habits. 3/28/2014 19
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Judgment Generally speaking, there is a direct relationship between risks and rewards The higher the risks, the higher the potential rewards As humans, we interpret risks / rewards as involving an inverse relationship. High risks are interpreted as involving low benefit, high reward = low risks 3/28/2014 21
Behaviors Decisions Judgment Interpretation Sensory input see, hear, taste, touch, smell 3/28/2014 22
Decisions Decisions can occur consciously or subconsciously. Most occur below our threshold of awareness Subconscious decisions are intuitive and automatic Conscious decisions generally involve perceived high risk / reward circumstances 3/28/2014 23
Decisions When anticipated outcomes associated with a course of action involve a perceived benefit that outweighs any perceived costs, we are motivated to act. When costs outweigh benefits, we are reluctant to act. 3/28/2014 24
The Dichotomies of Safety Factors influencing safety performance Above and below the waterline Actions and behaviors are those things we see; what we try to manage Decisions precede actions / behaviors; what we must influence through effective leadership Management Clearly defined expectations, observation, feedback Responsibilities Edict Leadership Respect, rapport, credibility, trust, caring, concern Relationships Influence 3/28/2014 25
The Dichotomies of Safety Factors influencing safety performance Above and below the waterline Actions and behaviors are most often automatic and intuitive Decisions are heavily influenced by past experience Affective response Gut feeling Good, bad Emotional Experience Anticipated outcomes Actual outcomes Costs / benefits 3/28/2014 26
Influencing Change Factors influencing safety performance Management practices Extrinsic motivation Frequency Schedule Timeliness Leadership practices Intrinsic motivation Connection / Alignment Feelings Emotions 3/28/2014 27
Influencing Change Factors influencing safety performance Management practices Logic / reason Analytical Responsibilities Conveyed Leadership practices Empathy Anecdotal Relationships Received 3/28/2014 28
Empathy, Caring Selfawareness, regulation Affective-rich Communication Story Telling Connection / Alignment Below the Waterline Images Respect, Rapport, Trust Influence Relationships Experiential Learning Emotions 3/28/2014 29
Questions 3/28/2014 30
Thank you!