The Weekly Reflektion 34/2024

Sometimes we are carrying out our work as normal, thensomething happens that makes us realise that we could be so much better. A colleague points out a potential improvement, a chance mistake reveals a previously unknown function, or we may even read the instructions and procedures. Once we are aware of the improvement we kick ourselves for not realising it earlier, especially when it seems so obvious. Hindsight is truly enlightening.

Do you look but not see?

Our Reflektions are stories related to Major Accidents that we hope will stimulate the grey matter and provide insight that will lead to learning and performance improvement. Our objective is to contribute to the prevention of the next Major Accident. 

In the New Testament, Jesus used parables to communicate with his followers. In Matthew 13:13 there is an explanation for this approach. That is why I use these parables. For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. Jesus used stories to convey his messages in a similar way to the way we tell our children stories to teach them about good and evil, morals, and standards for good behaviour. In the Quran, parables are also used extensively, in a variety of forms and covering many themes. The stories captivate, stimulate interest, and make people more receptive to what is being said. They often provide a context that promotes understanding. 

The concept of looking but not seeing arose as I was editing last weeks Reflektion (33/2024). I accidentally pressed a previously unused button and suddenly a female voice could be heard. I immediately thought it was a YouTube video, until the voice started talking about the PS General Slocum and the tragic fire and loss of life. Amazing, how did they know? I suddenly realized that I had activated the ‘Read Aloud’ function in MS Word that appears on the ‘Review’ menu. I didn’t know there was such a function, even though it is clearly labelled on the menu. I of course told others about my tremendous discovery. Some were equally amazed, but not too many. Most considered me with that look of, ‘What century are you living in? How could you not know about that function, we use it all the time’.

I listened to the Reflektion I had just written and immediately noted some grammatical improvements that I could correct. This will now be standard practice for the preparation of all Reflektions. I also remembered the work of Edgar Dale, an American educator who developed the Cone of Experience, also known as the Learning Pyramid.

We remember 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, 50% of what we see and hear,70% of what we discuss with others, 80% of what we personally experience, and 95% or what we teach others.

So, we encourage our readers to read and then listen to our Reflektions by using the ‘Read Aloud’ function in Word. This should immediately double the information retention. We hope of course that you will go for the 95% and use the Reflektions to teach others. Perhaps someone, somewhere, will realize something that can be improved and make the operation they are involved with safer. Be assured, if it is not picked up with foresight, it will be picked up with hindsight, as part of the investigation.