Failure is no Option

In the pandemic, we are witnessing a system that is hopelessly overstretched. Important principles of promising crisis management are not being followed. Is the insouciance we have acquired over the years catching up with us? Has it led us, our government and our institutions to forget what crisis management means?

Once again, an air traffic controller had to defend himself before the Zurich High Court last week. It was about an accusation of the public prosecutor's office for negligent disturbance of public traffic. His acquittal by the court is nothing more than a recognition of aviation safety concepts by the judiciary.

The investigation report now available on the Ju 52 crash of August 4, 2018, provides a scary insight into the events and circumstances surrounding the tragic accident. It broadens the view beyond the direct-cause misconduct of the cockpit crew to the corporate and regulatory environment. The findings are disturbing.

Dealing with work error in a non-punitive way is a real challenge for many a manager. It is counterintuitive and needs to be learned. The fear that refraining from accusations or even sanctions is an invitation to take it easier is a superstition. It is not appropriate in contemporary, complex settings and is evidence of a questionable and outdated…

When mistakes happen in the company, it becomes clear whether its managers are capable of acting in the spirit of a trust-based safety culture (Just Culture). They are confronted with situations in which they need steadfastness in order not to be tempted to evade their responsibility.