This week, I relistened to an old episode of The Safety of Work podcast, hosted by David Provan and Drew Rae. The episode explored a topic every safety professional has wrestled with: Why do people break rules?
It was packed with great insights, but one comment from Rae really stuck with me.
He talked about his love for an unusual safety exercise: spending extended time in a car with colleagues.
He explained that the conversations you have after a few hours of driving are completely different from the ones youโd get in a formal interview setting. Thereโs something about the mix of shared time, a little boredom, and no agenda that leads to real, honest discussions.
This idea hit home for me. Iโve experienced something similar myselfโsome of the most meaningful conversations Iโve had at work werenโt in meetings but in those unexpected, in-between moments.
Why Informal Interactions Matter
The idea of using informal interactions to gain deeper insights into workplace safety doesn’t get enough airtime. We’re often so focused on collecting hard data and using formal tools like surveys to understand safety that we miss the opportunity to uncover what’s really going on.
Some of the most valuable insights come when people feel comfortable enough to drop their guard.
That doesnโt usually happen in a formal setting. Surveys are useful, but they have limits. People tend to answer in ways they think theyโre supposed to. Formal interviews, too, are often filteredโeveryone knows the โrightโ things to say. But put two colleagues in a car, a cafรฉ, or even just a quiet corner after a meeting, and thatโs where the real conversations start.
Hereโs the thing: when we take a moment to step out of our routines and connect with people without an agenda, we learn things weโd otherwise miss. Itโs like getting a sneak peek behind the curtain of what really goes onโwhat frustrates people, what shortcuts they take, and even where they think safety procedures fall short.
It’s Easier Than You Think
The good news is that you donโt need a big budget or fancy tools to gather these insights. Itโs as simple as trying something different this week.
- Grab a coffee with someone you donโt usually talk toโmaybe a team member from another department or shift.
- Attend a team meeting you wouldnโt normally joinโyou might be surprised what comes up.
- Participate in a workplace social eventโthe small talk at a BBQ or trivia night often reveals more than youโd expect.
- Tag along for a site visit or task you donโt usually oversee. The more time you spend in someone elseโs world, the more you understand their challengesโand opportunities for safety improvements.
Unlocking More Than Insights
Informal interactions arenโt just about gaining new insights; the real magic lies in fostering trust and connection.
Spending time with people one-on-one in a casual setting allows them to let their guard down and speak more freely. And it allows you to do the same. This sense of openness and vulnerability leads to genuine conversations where people feel safe from judgment or scrutiny.
Sometimes, the small insights you gather in these moments can lead to meaningful changes. Itโs not always about big, sweeping initiatives; often, itโs the little tweaksโa process adjustment, a new conversation starter, or a subtle shift in how things are doneโthat make the biggest difference.
When you act on these small insights and show that you appreciate the team’s input, you build trust. People notice when their voices are heard, and that goes a long way in creating an environment where open conversations and teamwork come naturally.
Over to You
So hereโs a challenge for you: try something new this week. Maybe itโs a coffee chat, a car ride, or simply a conversation with someone outside your usual circle. Pay attention to what you learnโit might surprise you.
And if something interesting comes up, weโd love to hear about it. After all, safety is about more than just policiesโitโs about people. Sometimes, the best way to understand whatโs going on is to listen, not just to the words people say, but to the way they say them when they think no oneโs really listening.
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