Don’t Know What You Don’t Know?

In the practice of safety leadership, just knowing about the problems can be half the battle. When a problem or challenge is identified, only then can you begin to correct course. 

So, what about the problems you don’t know about?

Finding out about those problems requires investigation, looking in places you haven’t looked, and asking the sort of questions that need to be asked.

A tall order for any busy leader; there are already plenty of problems to be dealt with, and precious little time to do so.

One simple practice that can help make the most of the time you do have is what we call Managing By Walking Around. Managing By Walking Around – MBWA – is the calculated use of the time and presence of the leader. 

Pick your moments, times and places, and ask open ended questions, you might be surprised by what you learn. A good way to start is by following your instincts – the things you think you know. 

Doing that may well help in sending someone home alive and well that may not otherwise have. 

Balmert Consulting
July 2025