ROC Talk – Risk & Opportunity Conversations in a Positive Risk Management Culture

Webinar - Risk & Opportunity Conversations in a Positive Risk Management Culture

Speaker - Jim Whiting (MSc (Biophysics) Dip Ed, [Qld]; MSc (Biomedical Engineering), [Surrey UK]; CPEng, MACPSEM)

Synopsis - This presentation explains and demonstrates the benefits of ROC Talk [R&O Conversations, Communications and Interactions] - in every aspect of business discussions and decision-making. Practical examples are included on how to use principles of positive inter-personal dynamics to develop mutual respect, trust and care necessary for a positive risk culture. The importance of rigorous R&O based thinking & language in conversations is based on the principle that how we communicate affects whether we achieve our shared vision, beliefs and ultimately a positive culture.  

Participants will be polled during the webinar regarding their opinions on selected samples from a 4-page glossary of ROC Talk language & terminology. The glossary will be made available to participants.

Organisational performance depends on the quality of interaction and communication between individuals and groups (Stacey 2007). He calls this theory “Relationship Psychology,” which is crucial to better understanding of successful interactions because it takes the focus away from individuals to organizational relationships in all its forms. It considers human interaction as the primary influencer for control of organizational outcomes – not rewards, measurements, rules, or enforcement.

ROC Talk can reshape the way we communicate knowledge and understanding of R&O—a fundamentally important goal in all forms of risk management not just HSEQ risks. Carrillo (2012) highlights very practical implications of this fact, viz. explanations of why procedures and rules are so often forgotten or disregarded. The regular practice of ROC Talk conversations re procedures or processes ensures that they remain relevant to doing normal everyday work. Whenever a business risk is being discussed  / described / argued / communicated, then R&O assessments and ROC Talk make communications & decision-making more objective and less emotive. ROC Talk is beneficial whenever there are questions similar to:

• How should we do this job - this way or that?
• How will we establish our agreed standardised way of doing a job [procedure]?
• Is the standardised way the “best business” way in the current circumstances?
• Is the agreed standardised way the “lower risk” and/or “higher opportunity” way?
• Which is the best tool, plant, equipment for this job?
• Which options for risk control and opportunity enabling are better than others?
• What time do we allocate to this incident investigation? When to stop digging?

Key Takeaways

• What is ROC Talk and How it is applied
• Better understanding of the relations between Risks & Opportunities
• Learn meaningful verbal interactive skills – DOs and DON’Ts

About the Speaker

Jim Whiting is the Managing Director and Principal Risk Engineer, Risk at Workplaces Pty Ltd and Partner & Risk Engineer, Soteris Pty Ltd. He has extensive experienced in consultancy & training in risk management, causal analysis, ergonomics and management systems, and was formally a Senior Lecturer Medical Physics & Bioengineering QUT and a National CEO for NSCA.

PowerPoint Presentation

ROC Talk presentation.pptx