“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.
There’s Power in Bearing Witness – Why Your Presence Is Your Superpower
Look at this image. It’s a question I ask participants in all of my trainings. Focus on the man, arms folded, wearing a checked shirt. In front of him and the others present a man is being slowly suffocated, by serving Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. He’s simply standing there. Others in front of him … Continue reading There’s Power in Bearing Witness – Why Your Presence Is Your Superpower
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
A Good Culture Doesn’t Just Protect Good People. It Protects the Good in People.
“The role of a good culture isn’t just to protect good people; it’s also to protect the good in people.” These last week’s my reading has steadily increased. I’m not one for the crime novel or sci-fi story. More I focus on building my professional knowledge, so I am better able to share an approach … Continue reading A Good Culture Doesn’t Just Protect Good People. It Protects the Good in People.
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
