Introduction

Ever felt like your workplace is stuck in a rut? You’re not alone. Many organisations struggle with outdated safety practices and stagnant learning cultures. But what if I told you there’s a way to break free? Enter the 5 Principles of Human Performance. These game-changing ideas are shaking up how we think about work, safety, and continuous improvement. Let’s dive in and see how they can transform your organisation.

The Myth of “Normal” Work

Here’s a truth bomb for you: There’s no such thing as “normal” work. Surprised? Don’t be. Work is always changing. It’s fluid. Dynamic. Unpredictable. This idea might freak out your average manager. But for forward-thinking leaders? It’s an opportunity.

As Todd Conklin puts it in his book “The 5 Principles of Human Performance”:

“Work is constantly in motion, therefore learning must continue. Work is never the same, therefore we never really know how work is being done.”

Let that sink in for a moment. If we don’t know how work is really happening, how can we improve it?

Principle 1: Error is Normal

Buckle up, folks. We’re about to challenge a big assumption. Ready? Error isn’t the enemy. It’s normal. Natural. Unavoidable.

Sounds crazy, right? But think about it. We’re human. We make mistakes. Instead of trying to eliminate errors (spoiler alert: you can’t), what if we designed systems that could absorb them?

This principle is all about shifting our perspective. It’s not about pointing fingers. It’s about understanding why errors happen and learning from them.

Principle 2: Blame Fixes Nothing

Let’s play a quick game. Think of the last time someone got blamed for a mistake at work. Did it solve the problem? Probably not.

Blame is like a boomerang. You throw it out, and it comes right back, often causing more harm than good. It doesn’t fix issues. It just creates fear and resentment.

Conklin argues:

“Blame is the enemy of safety. It shuts down learning and breeds a culture of fear and secrecy.”

Instead of asking “who”, start asking “why”. You’ll be amazed at what you discover.

Principle 3: Learning is Vital

Remember when you were a kid? Everything was new and exciting. You were constantly learning. Why should that stop in the workplace?

Learning isn’t just important. It’s vital. Essential. Non-negotiable. In a world where work never stops changing, learning is your superpower.

Create a culture where questions are encouraged. Where curiosity is celebrated. Where every day is a chance to learn something new.

Principle 4: How You Respond Matters

Picture this: An incident occurs at work. How do you respond? Your reaction can make or break the situation.

This principle is all about your response. It’s not just what you do, but how you do it. Are you calm? Understanding? Solution-focused?

Conklin emphasises:

“Our response to failure matters. It can either shut down learning or open up new possibilities for improvement.”

Your response sets the tone. Make it count.

Principle 5: Context Drives Behaviour

Ever wonder why people do what they do at work? It’s not random. It’s not because they’re “good” or “bad” employees. It’s all about context.

The systems, processes, and culture of your organisation shape behaviour. If you want to change behaviour, start by changing the context.

This principle challenges us to look beyond the individual. To see the bigger picture. To understand the complex web of factors that influence how work gets done.

Putting It All Together: A New View of Safety

So, what do these principles add up to? A completely new way of thinking about safety and performance. It’s not about rules and procedures. It’s about understanding, learning, and continuous improvement.

Conklin calls this the “new view” of safety. It’s a perspective that recognises the complexity of human performance. That embraces uncertainty. That sees mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

The Power of Continuous Learning

Remember that quote from earlier about work being in constant motion? That’s where continuous learning comes in. It’s not nice-to-have. It’s a must-have.

In this new world of work, the ability to learn and adapt is your competitive edge. It’s what separates thriving organisations from those just scraping by.

Set up systems for sharing knowledge. Create spaces for reflection and discussion. Make learning a part of everyday work, not just something that happens in training sessions.

Implementing the 5 Principles of Human Performance: Practical Steps

Now, you might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but how do I actually do it?” Fair question. Here are some practical steps:

  1. Start conversations about these principles. Get people thinking and talking.
  2. Look at your incident investigation process. Is it focused on blame or learning?
  3. Create safe spaces for people to report errors without fear of punishment.
  4. Encourage questions and curiosity at all levels of the organisation.
  5. Review your systems and processes. How might they be influencing behaviour?

Remember, this is a journey. It won’t happen overnight. But every step counts.

The Impact on Organisational Culture

As you start to implement these principles, you’ll notice something. Your organisational culture will begin to shift. People will feel safer speaking up. They’ll be more engaged and more innovative.

You’ll start to see problems as opportunities. Failures are chances to learn. Uncertainty as a space for creativity.

This new culture isn’t just safer. It’s more dynamic. More resilient. More human.

Conclusion

The 5 Principles of Human Performance aren’t just theories. They’re powerful tools for transforming how we think about work, safety, and learning. They challenge us to move beyond outdated ideas of “normal” work and embrace the complex, ever-changing reality of human performance.

As Conklin reminds us:

“Changing the way, we think about work is a vital step towards improvement.”

So, are you ready to go beyond normal? To transform your organisation’s approach to learning and performance? The journey starts with a single step. Why not take it today?

Remember, work never stops changing. Neither should we.

Reference: Conklin, T. (2019). The 5 Principles of Human Performance: A contemporary update of the building blocks of Human Performance for the new view of safety. Santa Fe, NM: Pre-Accident Investigation Media.