Questioning Attitude: A Human Performance Tool

Human Performance tools are like the physical tools you have in your toolbox. You don’t break out every tool you have when one or two will do the trick. You look at the task at hand and grab the appropriate tool. Are you building a deck? You probably need a saw and a hammer and can leave the oil filter wrench behind. Are you building a deck? You probably need your Human Performance tools of Self-checking (measure twice, cut once) and Procedures (diagram or instructions) and can leave the Peer Check behind. Not every tool is required for every job.‍

Also, it’s essential to use the tool as it is designed to avoid any negative consequences and to ensure that you complete your work safely. If you’re wondering who would use a tool for anything other than its intended purpose, you’ve never seen a “hammer wrench” or a screwdriver-prybar. Sure, you might think you are “making it work” or “MacGyver-ing it,” but you’re setting yourself up for trouble. When you hammer away at some stuck part, there’s a chance that the pipe wrench hook jaw can work its way off the nut and become a pretty hefty projectile. That screwdriver was designed for torsion, not leverage; we’ve all heard of the person that stabbed themselves when the screwdriver slipped while NOT driving screws.‍

When using your Human Performance tools, it’s also essential to use them as designed. Your Human Performance tools can do more damage than good when falling into the wrong hands. Specifically, we’re talking about misusing the tool of Questioning Attitude. When used as designed, your Questioning Attitude will alert you to imminent hazards, warning signs, and uncertainties. It promotes a preference for facts over assumptions and leads to more predictable and safe results. Asking “What if…” or “Why is this acceptable?” helps to uncover potential pitfalls and previously unrecognized hazards. But just like our physical tools, some people misuse them to serve other purposes. This is what we call “Questioning With Attitude.”‍

Questioning With Attitude is when someone is trying to circumvent an existing policy or guidance, not out of an abundance of caution, but usually rationalizing taking a shortcut. It can be a fine line and hard to nail down. Sometimes it’s clear, while others are more nuanced.‍

Good Questioning Attitude: “Am I 100% sure that I know the consequences of the action I’m about to take?”‍

Questioning With Attitude: “I heard the International Space Station is re-entering our atmosphere today. Will the company be providing bunkers for us to work in?”‍

Walking the line between the two: “Why do I need this rule? I know what I’m doing.”‍

This last person is feeding into the Human Performance error trap of Overconfidence and misusing the tool of Questioning Attitude to justify it. It’s vital to help this person understand why a rule or policy exists and applies to everyone through a proper human performance safety message. There is usually a good, well-thought reason, whether it’s PPE, procedure requirements, material handling, signage, barriers, exclusion areas, or any other policy. It might be contrary to what they are used to and seem unnecessary in their eyes. They may not recognize how their actions impact others. Maybe this person has been doing this for years and knows all the shortcuts and workarounds, but now they are influencing others who don’t have the same level of awareness?‍

What’s more likely happening is they are just succumbing to the Human Performance error trap of Overconfidence by underestimating the risk and overestimating their ability. This attitude does not align with the human performance safety culture of “path to zero,” as their questions aren’t trying to identify risks; they’re trying to rationalize why they can deviate from best practices. Answer their questions but help them understand the Human Performance trap of Overconfidence and how it may impact them. Ask them if their questions are really trying to improve processes and outcomes or just trying to rationalize taking an error-likely shortcut (in a non-confrontational way, of course).‍

To learn more about Human Performance Tools and how we can help, reach out to Knowledge Vine today.