by Gareth Lock
'How did it make sense?' explores the local rationality of those involved in doing what they did. Each podcast lasts about 45 mins and aims to follow a similar format. Initially, we will look at the 'first story' which is normally scant in details and triggers an emotional response, and then we will look at the 'second story' that looks at the goal conflicts, the ambiguities, the assumptions, the tensions, and the trade-offs that led to those involved doing what they did. This context-rich story is the one that learning opportunities come from, not focusing on the counterfactuals that often arise from 'first stories'. The goal is to encourage you to look deeper at the socio-technical system presented by the guests and how we can make improvements by abstracting from the multiple domains discussed in the podcast to the our own domains.
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11/1/2024
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April 11, 2025
<p>What happens when someone tests your emergency plan—and no one’s ready? In this episode of How Did It Make Sense?, I speak with Marcus Dimbleby, ex-RAF Wing Commander and now partner at Effective Direction, about the moment he walked into an ops room and triggered the crash alarm on purpose.</p> <p>We unpack how critical thinking, red teaming, and stress testing systems reveal the hidden flaws in safety procedures, leadership cultures, and team behaviours. It’s a story that moves from chaos to commendation, with lessons every business leader and risk manager should hear.</p> <p><strong>Connect with Marcus:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusdimbleby">Marcus Dimbleby on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.effectivedirection.com">effectivedirection.com</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>Resources Recommended:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.bigthingsfast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Big Things Fast</a> by Jose Corella and Marcus Dimbleby</li> <li><a href="https://www.gary-klein.com/welcome" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gary Klein</a> – recognition-primed decision making and naturalistic decision making. </li> <li>Daniel Kahneman – <a href="https://www.bigthingsfast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thinking, Fast and Slow</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gareth:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/"><strong>Human in the System </strong></a></p> <p>Transforming teams. Unlocking human potential.</p> <p>Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"</p> <p><strong>Contact us </strong><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/contact"><strong>here</strong></a></p>
April 4, 2025
<p>In this episode of How Did It Make Sense? I sit down with Chris Davies, co-founder of Volaria Performance, to dig deeper into the idea of blaming up versus blaming down.</p> <p>Chris shares a story from his military aviation days – a high-pressure scenario involving rapid descents, rotor overspeeds, and a well-intended but misguided fine imposed by leadership. It’s a classic example of where human error meets systemic misunderstanding.</p> <p>We unpack the layers of this case: What happens when leaders focus on punishment instead of understanding? Why do we so often recognise the frontline worker’s rationality but fail to apply the same empathy upwards? And what are the risks when oversights at the top are dismissed as incompetence rather than pressure-driven decision-making?</p> <p>We also explore how this kind of thinking shows up across industries – from healthcare to aviation, defence to energy. It’s not just about individuals; it’s about the systems they operate in, and the stories those systems tell.</p> <p>This episode is a call to move beyond blame – in any direction – and towards curiosity, context, and connection. It’s for leaders, operators, and anyone trying to make sense of complexity in real-world systems.</p> <p><strong>Connect with Chris;</strong></p> <p>LinkedIn – <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-davies-7633b62a/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-davies-7633b62a/</a></p> <p>Website - <a href="https://www.volaria-performance.com/">https://www.volaria-performance.com/</a></p> <p><strong>Resources Recommended:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Dust-Settles-Stories-Disaster/dp/1529358248">When the Dust Settles by Lucy Easthope </a></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alchemy-Original-Thinking-Mind-Numbing-Conformity/dp/0753556529/ref=asc_df_0753556529?mcid=8c511dc8ba943186ac907d030be85000&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697211257126&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14897595007923373158&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044885&hvtargid=pla-918172862094&psc=1&gad_source=1">Alchemy by Rory Sutherland</a> </p> <p><strong>Connect with Gareth Here:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/"><strong>Human in the System </strong></a></p> <p>Transforming teams. Unlocking human potential.</p> <p>Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"</p> <p><strong>Contact us </strong><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/contact"><strong>here</strong></a></p>
March 28, 2025
<p>In this episode of How Did It Make Sense?, I speak with Aaron Potash about a tragic diving incident in Monterey. A struggling student, a distressed instructor, and a beach full of bystanders—why did no one step in? This story raises important questions about how we recognise and respond to distress in high-risk environments.</p> <p>We explore the bystander effect, training gaps, and Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE), a little-known but potentially fatal condition that may have played a role. Despite its increasing recognition in the diving and medical communities, awareness and early detection remain limited. Aaron shares how this experience reshaped his approach to diver readiness and risk management, emphasizing the need for better training, clearer distress signals, and stronger safety cultures.</p> <p><strong>Connect with Aaron:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.originaloaktowndivers.com/">www.oaktowndivers.com</a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/originaloaktowndivers">@oaktowndrivers</a> </p> <p><strong>Resources Recommended:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/There-Are-No-Accidents-Disaster-Who-ebook/dp/B0984JLGKR">Jessie Singers – There are no accidents</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/podcasts/how-did-it-make-sense/episodes/2148987904">You can also listen to Jessie's episode on How Did It Make Sense here </a></p> <p><strong>Connect with Gareth Here:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/"><strong>Human in the System </strong></a></p> <p>Transforming teams. Unlocking human potential.</p> <p>Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"</p> <p><strong>Contact us </strong><a href="https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/contact"><strong>here</strong></a></p>
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