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… flight attendants should not be put in the position of refereeing. It is management’s job to see that adequate space is available, that gate agents deal with the luggage problem before customers board the plane, or that flight attendants are taught how to properly and positively deal with these situations if the first two options fail. Although training in managing stress on the job can be helpful, day to day contact with time consuming and unhelpful policies and …
… use by government workers while driving. In a similar vein, Secretary LaHood calls for highly visible enforcement of laws against this behavior. The problem with these actions (consequences) is that most people who text while driving will never get … that the behavior of texting is highly reinforcing to texters – immediately. As long as this source of reinforcement is available, threats of punishment and instances of punishment will have only limited impact on the problem. Writer Frank Herbert said it well, "The proximity of a desirable thing tempts one to overindulgence. On that path lies danger." On a positive …
… that relate to personal safety, we are smacked in the face with the obvious. In a recent New York Times article, they raised the issue, albeit late in the season, of lifeguards’ texting on the job and putting swimmers at risk. The article … away on his/her phone. Of course technology is one issue; we all know the age in which we live. The real concern is how to maintain a safe environment in the face of a world that produces increasing distractions and little reinforcement for doing the …
… often don't see is that the person is also arrogant, vindictive, selfish, and emotional. Thankfully, most of these people fail as leaders. The problem is that, in the meantime, they wreak havoc on the organization. Oh, they get results alright, … often don't see is that the person is also arrogant, vindictive, selfish, and emotional. Thankfully, most of these people fail as leaders. The problem is that, in the meantime, they wreak havoc on the organization. Oh, they get results alright, …
… natural consequences associated with production pressure and deadlines discourage it. The article also points to better training around decision making in adverse conditions. Again, we agree, as long as that training includes practice, not just discussion. We should take a page from pilot training here; flight simulators provide the …
… What NOT to do When Managing in New Cultures I can’t help but think that Outsourced , a new workplace comedy scheduled to air this week, will give us another reason to laugh at potential real-life business scenarios. In a vein similar to The … early in my career too! My client, a textile company in Italy, was the first work we had done outside the U.S. We had trained an internal consultant, Enrico, to assist in implementing a performance improvement initiative in seven of their plants. At lunch on the day Enrico was to return to Italy, we were discussing the details of the implementation when I remarked “I sure do hope this works in Italy.” He responded, “It will work in Italy. Do …
… BP Was Gambling With Safety, Are You? In a recent NY Times article the chairman of a government panel investigating the gulf rig explosion said that “time after time, BP appeared to have gambled with safety”. While it is easy to vilify BP, they are not the only … response to accidents, incidents and near misses Using incentives based on incident rate or lack of accidents Relying on training, policies and procedures to ensure compliance Strong safety leadership is the foundation for a high-performing safety …
… is in Control? Would you believe nobody? With the recent outbreak of salmonella poisoning caused by egg contamination, it raises the debate yet again, “Who’s in Control of our food safety?” I was appalled, but not surprised, to read the recent USA Today … violations and abuse. For a repeat offender with such a rap sheet, how does the FDA and the USDA let this guy remain in business? The chain of accountability needs to extend to the governing bodies that are in place to keep the American …
… behaviors just because they are easy to observe (e.g., wearing safety glasses), or because they are easy choices in that failing to behave won’t draw management fire (e.g., keeping ladders properly stored). This may mean that participants are … not what might happen, and typical incident records tend to skew toward the more common but less severe injuries (e.g., strains and sprains). Examining only incident data won’t reveal the less likely but potentially catastrophic risks (e.g. fires, …
… to write an article for the Washington Post about how Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has so far bucked the prevailing trend in managing football prima donnas, in particular with superstar nose tackle Albert Haynesworth. Using the NFL … to write an article for the Washington Post about how Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has so far bucked the prevailing trend in managing football prima donnas, in particular with superstar nose tackle Albert Haynesworth. Using the NFL …
… Fostering Creativity in the Workplace I read an article recently ( ABC News ) that reported on what the magical number of emails a person can “stand” a day before they feel overloaded: 50 emails! That is not the number they receive, only the number before they feel stressed. With an estimated 1.6 billion people globally using email, I have to ask, “What effect do all these emails have on productivity and performance, or more critical to a company’s …