Ep106: Retribution, restoration, transformation: Blame fixes nothing, with Campbell Warren and John McDonald

Today, for the first time, I have two guests on! Double the value. We discuss the limitation of retributive approaches, the popular but unachievable ideas behind restorative approaches, and the benefits of underpinning our work with transformative thinking and approaches.

Since you’re listening in, you must be a leader wanting to grow yourself and drastically improve health and safety along the way. Welcome to you, you’re in the right place. If this is your first time listening in, thanks for joining us and well done for trying something different to improve! And of course, welcome back to all of you wonderful regular listeners.

I studied health and safety 15 or so years ago. And there wasn’t a skerrick of information on the role that retribution plays as a conceptual for health and safety. So it’s not surprising that it is so pervasive in health and safety. But it’s not just us, you’ll see it in schools, in policing, and even parenting.

How was that? I found the whole thing really interesting. That Campbell suggested a three-person chat, and how that dynamic played out. That we took our time, seeking to understand the topic and each other. That we covered such compelling ideas and principles, and how difficult it is to move from retributive to transformative until we begin, and as Cam said you don’t go back.

Thanks also to Sullijames for their review, saying: “Andrew’s podcasts keep getting better. Good guests, well interviewed. You’ll learn more about new approaches to safety. Not sure about the summary at the end, might just need to leave the listener to learn for themselves. Well worth subscribing if you are interested in how to make workplaces more successful”

I love how that feedback doesn’t just focus on health and safety, rather how we can and do make workplaces more successful. And the takeaways? Well, my intent is to lead by example, which means the learning doesn’t just come from what I learned, but the reflection and sharing process I go through which I invite every listener to as well.

But in respect for Sullijames’ feedback, I’m not sharing any takeaways this episode. Instead, why not jump over to safetyontap.com/ep106 and share your takeaways in the comments? That might make for a richer source of learning than just my reflections. I’ve still sketched out my visual reflections for you to download, along with your own personal reflection space. That’s all over at safetyontap.com/ep106

Finally, I’ve had great feedback on the new coaching call podcast format, the first of which was episode 104, and we have another coming up next episode. These only work when you are courageous enough to share a live coaching conversation with me. If you would like to do that, for your benefit and for others, head over to safetyontap.com/guest

Please be generous and share this episode, or whichever one grabs your attention, with a friend or colleague. It doesn’t take much time or effort, they will benefit, and together you and I and they keep getting better.

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, what’s the one thing you’ll do to take positive, effective or rewarding action, to grow yourself, and drastically improve health and safety along the way? Seeya!