Shahrin, the Managing Director of the SMRT TEL line (now CEO of Singapore Post), approached Dr. Jenson after attending my customized Systems Thinking Habits programme for SMRT TEL. He recognized the immense value of systems thinking, especially in the context of workplace safety within an operationally intensive environment like SMRT. Shahrin wanted Dr. Jenson to design and customize a keynote speech that would provoke deep awareness among his team members about the importance of applying systems thinking habits to drive excellence in workplace safety.
After extensive discussions with Shahrin and his team, Dr. Jenson developed a keynote speech titled “Seeing People as the Solutions Rather Than the Blame.” The speech highlighted three critical takeaways:
- Accidents are complex processes involving the entire sociotechnical system. This perspective encourages viewing accidents as multifaceted events influenced by various interconnected factors within the organization.
- Operator error is the product of the environment in which it occurs. This point underscores the significance of examining the broader context in which errors happen, rather than solely blaming individuals.
- Blame is the enemy of safety. By shifting the focus from blame to understanding and improvement, organizations can foster a culture of safety and continuous learning.
Dr. Jenson delivered this impactful speech at the annual SMRT TEL Safety and Security Symposium. The keynote was exceptionally well-received, prompting Shahrin to engage Dr. Jenson again for the following year’s event. This renewed trust and collaboration underscore the high value and quality that Coddiwompling delivers to its clients, which warms our hearts. This demonstrates how meaningful insights can drive tangible improvements in organizational culture.
The following year, Dr. Jenson presented another compelling talk titled “Untested Assumptions Kill.” This presentation emphasized the critical importance of systems thinking in maintaining vigilance in operational environments. Dr. Jenson highlighted how untested assumptions could lead to unforeseen problems due to the interaction of external factors with existing equipment. He stressed the necessity of constantly observing new factors in our environment, testing our assumptions, and never becoming complacent.
The talk was once again well-received, with Dr. Jenson surrounded by enthusiastic internal and external participants at the end of the session. Among them was a commander officer from SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force), which led to an engagement for designing and customizing a systems thinking habits programme for SCDF commanders. This successful collaboration also opened the door to another programme for commanders from Oman, scheduled for 2025. This series of engagements highlights the far-reaching impact of our tailored systems thinking approaches and our commitment to fostering continuous improvement and safety excellence.
These engagements highlight the far-reaching impact of our tailored systems thinking approaches. If you’re interested in having Dr. Jenson speak at your next event to inspire and provoke impactful changes, contact us today to discuss how we can bring these insights to your organization.