“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” — commonly attributed to Henry Ford Whether Henry Ford actually uttered those exact words is uncertain. Historians debate the attribution, but the sentiment has endured because it captures a truth about human behaviour that is highly relevant to active bystandership. Long before someone … Continue reading The Most Important Intervention Happens Before You Say a Word – Why active bystandership begins with what people believe about themselves and how cultures support believe.
What If We’ve Been Trying to Change Police Culture the Wrong Way? What Violence Prevention Can Teach Policing
I spent the last 8 years of my policing service working with the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. My time there radically changed how I looked at violence prevention. Since retiring it's clear my time there has shaped how I now look at developing healthy and safe workplace cultures. In this piece I reference this week's … Continue reading What If We’ve Been Trying to Change Police Culture the Wrong Way? What Violence Prevention Can Teach Policing
Tending the Vineyard: What Champagne Can Teach Us About Workplace Culture and Active Bystandership
A couple of weeks ago I was driving through the Champagne region of France. As I did i noticed the vines being tended to by many people. I knew it wasn't harvert time and after tasting some great champagne at a local house I asked what was happening. The lady there simply said "we need … Continue reading Tending the Vineyard: What Champagne Can Teach Us About Workplace Culture and Active Bystandership
Permission to Act: The Missing Ingredient in Bystander Training
A lot of bystander training fails to create the social conditions where people feel able to act. Whilst training teaches people how to act It's culture that determines whether they will. Across workplaces, police services, schools, universities and community organisations, there has been a growing investment in bystander training. The logic is straightforward: if people … Continue reading Permission to Act: The Missing Ingredient in Bystander Training
More Than a Cake: What Black Forest Gateau Teaches Us About Culture in the Police and Military.
I’ve just spent a week in the Black Forest of southern Germany. Ancient Romans found the thick forest here both mysterious and inaccessible. Today it’s a haven for hikers, cuckoo clock enthusiastic and cake lovers. Personally, I like the odd hike, I’m not much of a clock fan. I like cake. The Back Forest Gateau … Continue reading More Than a Cake: What Black Forest Gateau Teaches Us About Culture in the Police and Military.
