It's Not Failure — It's Just Culture
Are employees making mistakes, or are they part of a failing workplace system? Safety and Health lecturer Christopher Clanton recommends a thought-provoking read for safety professionals and organization leadership.
What happens when things go wrong in our workplaces? What is the first thing you or others do or say when confronted with a disruption?
How we respond to failure can be just as important as how we plan for success, and that’s why I’m recommending a powerful and thought-provoking read: "Just Culture" by Sidney Dekker.
Dekker, a former pilot and safety expert, explores how organizations can create environments where learning from mistakes is not only possible but expected. While his work is rooted in aviation and safety science, the lessons in this book resonate deeply with anyone working in complex, high-stakes systems.
Three Takeaways for Safety Professionals
& Organization Leadership
When things break down, it’s rarely due to one bad actor. More often, it’s a signal that the system itself needs attention.
1. Accountability Without Blame
Dekker challenges the traditional “name, blame, and shame” approach to error. Instead, he advocates for a culture where accountability is balanced with empathy — where we ask not just who made the mistake, but why it made sense to them at the time.
This mindset can transform how we handle disruptions. Rather than punishing individuals for incidents or errors, we can dig deeper to understand the systemic pressures and constraints that led to the outcome — and fix those.
2. Systems Thinking is Safety Thinking
One of Dekker’s core messages is that most failures are not the result of individual negligence, but of system design.
Whether it’s a simple compliance item or a major injury, the core of the issue is often embedded in the process — not the person. "Just Culture" reinforces the importance of designing systems that support good decisions and outcomes, even under pressure.
3. Trust is the Foundation of Improvement
Perhaps the most powerful insight from this book is that people will only speak up about problems if they trust they won’t be punished for doing so. That trust is essential for continuous improvement.
In a rapidly changing world where early warnings can prevent serious injuries and fatalities, creating a culture of psychological safety isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a strategic advantage.
Why Just Culture is a Worthwhile Read
What makes "Just Culture" such a compelling read is how it reframes failure — not as something to fear, but as something to learn from. Dekker’s writing is clear, insightful, and deeply human. He doesn’t offer easy answers, but he does offer a better set of questions.
If you’re looking for a book that will challenge how you think about accountability, inspire you to build stronger systems, and help you lead with both rigor and compassion — "Just Culture" deserves a spot on your reading list.
As you read, I encourage you to reflect on this: When something goes wrong in your supply chain, do you ask “Who failed?” — or “What failed, and how can we learn from it?”
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