What Kind of Thinking Builds Risk Perception and Its Proper Management?

The way we perceive and manage risks is directly related to our thinking and how we face error, failure, and the unexpected. In work environments, especially those involving high risks, having a clear vision about the possibility of something going wrong is essential to build a solid and effective safety culture. After all, as the saying goes: it will only work if you think about what can go wrong.

Error-Based Thinking: Anticipating to Prevent

Having an accurate risk perception means, first, accepting that errors and failures are real possibilities. This type of thinking isn't pessimistic; on the contrary, it allows for anticipation and preparation. When considering the possibility of error, space opens up for questioning, critical analysis, and preventive measures.

The Importance of Accepting the Possibility of Failures

Organizations that recognize the possibility of failures are better equipped to deal with them. This recognition allows contingency measures and emergency plans to be implemented proactively. The idea is not to underestimate the possibility of error, but rather to use it as a guide to reinforce defenses and safety strategies.

Variability as a Risk Factor

In complex environments, variability is constant. This means situations can unfold in unexpected ways, and a safe scenario today may not be the same tomorrow. Thinking focused on error, failure, and accident takes this variability into account and prepares the organization to respond to it.

Managing Variability

Variability demands flexibility and readiness. A prepared team considers different scenarios and adapts its procedures as needed. Effective risk management involves not just control, but also the ability to respond quickly to changes. Facing variability as part of the process is fundamental to building realistic risk perception and acting promptly when necessary.

Thinking About Accidents and the Unexpected

No organization is immune to the unexpected. Therefore, mature thinking about risks includes accepting that accidents can occur and that the unexpected is inevitable. This perspective allows the organization to prepare for the unknown, considering from the most predictable accidents to the least likely scenarios.

Readiness for the Unexpected

An organization ready for the unexpected has a preventive and quick-reaction mindset. It trains its employees to respond effectively and has resources available to handle emergencies. Additionally, it constantly reviews its practices, identifying improvement opportunities and adopting technologies that can predict or minimize risks.

Building a Preventive Thinking Culture

For an organization to truly incorporate preventive thinking and risk perception, it's necessary to cultivate a culture that values critical analysis and anticipation. This type of culture doesn't see error merely as a problem, but as an opportunity for learning and continuous improvement.

1.      Encouraging Risk and Near-Miss Reporting: It's essential that employees feel comfortable reporting risks and near-misses. By creating an environment of psychological safety where people can talk about what might go wrong, the organization improves its ability to identify and mitigate risks.

 2.      Preventive Thinking Training: Training focused on critical thinking and risk analysis helps employees see beyond the obvious. These trainings enable people to identify potential problems and consider what might go wrong in their daily activities.

 3.      Feedback and Continuous Learning: Implementing a feedback system where errors and failures are openly discussed and used for continuous improvement strengthens the safety culture. This allows the organization to learn from its own mistakes and from others' mistakes.

4.      Engaged and Proactive Leadership: Leaders play a fundamental role in promoting prevention-oriented thinking. They must lead by example, valuing questioning and risk analysis, and encouraging their teams to always consider what might go wrong before acting.

Conclusion: Think About What Can Go Wrong to Make Things Go Right

In summary, building accurate risk perception and effective risk management involves recognizing that failures, variabilities, and accidents are part of reality. Adopting a mindset focused on error and the unexpected allows the organization to prepare, adapt, and react quickly and effectively. When thinking about what can go wrong, one isn't being pessimistic, but rather preventive and responsible. This mentality not only prevents accidents but also strengthens the organization's resilience and ability to thrive in an uncertain environment.

Thus, true success in safety isn't about relying on luck or believing in perfection, but embracing the imperfection of the real world and being prepared to face whatever comes.

Would you like to learn more about my work? Purchase my books released in 2024 through the links below.

80 Ways to Expand Risk Perception: https://amzn.to/3VbWlAV

Safety Culture: https://bit.ly/3x8IDXm

Safety Culture Diagnosis: https://amzn.to/3XfnBkt

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