Walking the Line

Johnny Cash Sang Words of Wisdom

The Human Hazard Management Model.

Personal Scenarios to Ponder 

During  a speaking engagement this week, one of the participants noticed that the case studies I was sharing were mostly big disasters. He asked if I could give some more mundane examples of how to better manage hazards in our everyday lives. This was a great ask.

It is the practice of elevating our response to the small stuff that ultimately makes a difference. Massive tragedies have a similar theme, many of them start with small seemingly inconsequential compromises that add up to the big disaster.

Ponder the following scenarios and think about Luminant Power that serves the whole versus Shadow Power that serves a personal short term gain . . . or our ego.

It is a worthy practice to elevate our response to every day events.

Social Hazards

1)    You break your partner’s special coffee mug while at home alone without witnesses.

2)    You get a speeding ticket on your way to work and are afraid to tell anyone.

3)    You are married and get propositioned while on a business trip.

4)    You find a wallet on the street that is full of ID and a thousand dollars.

5)    Every day, on your way to work, you walk past a man in a red jacket who is experiencing homelessness and you wonder if you should do something.

Professional Hazards

1)    Your boss is asking you to use substandard equipment in order to cut costs.

2)    Your company clearly continues to operate well below industry standards.

3)    You are offered a government contract that grossly exceeds market value for the service your company provides.

4)    An employee or colleague lodges a (valid) complaint about your business.

Self Care Hazards

1)    You are 50m away from your safety glasses and you have one cut to make with your skill saw.

2)    You slept in and are compelled to speed in order to get to work on time so you are not embarrassed.

3)    You are struggling with your tobacco addiction and are sneaking cigarettes.

4) A friend notices that you are drinking every night until you are drunk and shares their concern to you.

How we respond to challenging situations is the key to managing all kinds of hazards. When we sweat the small stuff, and find the best response, we elevate all of our processes, and elevate our communities and our society.