In my book, “Safety Management without the Mumbo-Jumbo” I wrote a chapter entitled, “All my People are my Best People”. 

In the chapter I state that good business and good safety performance will only come from good people.  I maintain that most people can become your best people if they are properly lead and managed.  This is especially important if you wish to develop and maintain a strong and vibrant safety culture. 

This notion is widely accepted and that is why the qualifications and experience of key personnel is often stated in relevant legislation.  The nominees of key positions are assessed and approved by the regulator in many cases. 

Of course, the technical qualifications are important but what is not always captured by the regulatory requirements is the ability for Key personnel to lead and manage people to ensure optimum safety outcomes.

As a Safety Regulator, I tried to weave management issues into assessment scenarios, to see if the nominee knew anything about people and how to manage them. 

In my view, safety and management systems are critical, but the systems work only when people communicate, collaborate and co-operate.  Its people that make the systems work.  People are dynamic, their safety work is dynamic and the safety culture is dynamic.  Go away for a week and something has changed! 

Employers need to be careful about who they employ.  Unfortunate, many accept technical qualifications without taking a broader perspective about the safety culture they wish to create or maintain (presumably).  For this to occur, one must consider the leadership and managerial ability of the applicant for a key position.

In my experience, I have seen many aviation businesses make hasty or ill-informed decisions and live to regret that a more detailed and holistic examination of the applicant was not made. 

My book, "Safety Management without the Mumbo Jumbo" can be purchased for $29.95 + $5.95 postage and handling.  Click here to purchase the book.

Due to exceptional demand, the book is now also available as an E-Book for your e-reader device.  It can be purchased from Palmer Higgs at http://www.palmerhiggsbooks.com.au/safety-management-without-the-mumbo-jumbo-ebook.html