Research Determines Situational Awareness

We live in a technological world and we are bombarded with data every day. What we do with that data is where it can become important to our own personal brand and reputation. We are so often faced with images from the internet and very quickly we make our opinion. Often that opinion is then shared (rightly or wrongly) to the millions of people who may view that image.

Within a workplace, we are often faced with an ‘image’ of the business. In my case – it might be an incident that occurs on site. The rumours start instantly, the comments roll in, and the different versions of events start filtering through. They all believe they are right, and that their version of events is the accurate version.

When we are faced with these types of situations, the first thing we do, as inquisitive humans, is start to form an opinion of the incident, or the image. We start to form that opinion based on our values, beliefs, education, sex, even how we are feeling that day. We start to form our own version of that image and choose to see what we want to see. Just like in an incident – we start to get different versions of the same image. Who is right? Who is wrong?

I stumbled across the below image recently, and it was one of those that made me feel I had to write and discuss it, and get your thoughts. To be honest, I loved it.

I love this image because it is very true of my profession, but also of my own nature. We get told so often that both parties are correct, as it is their perceived view on a situation, yet as this image indicates, no – only one person is correct – if only they were situationally aware. The image talks about going and doing your research to make yourself situationally aware.

Situational awareness has been discussed a lot lately within the media, and in reference to the images being portrayed. If we take the person who painted the “6” or “9”, you would have to assume that they took lacked situational awareness as the opportunity to question the number seems obvious. Therefore – the image portrayed is open to opinion and interpretation.

These concepts have recently played out in the media - take the recent Dreamworld case. What image were they trying to portray when the bonuses were issued at the ‘same time’ the fatalities took place on their site. Blatantly ignoring the world around us, or the facts, can and will lead to disastrous outcomes.

So, my Sunday message to you all, do you research, make decisions based on fact, research and the information you have. Look to the other influences that are impacting that decision. Your current knowledge systems and beliefs may need to be challenged to ensure the right decisions are made.

Challenge yourself this week to pause, reflect, research and then form an opinion.

So, my Sunday message to you all, do you research, make decisions based on fact, research and the information you have. Look to the other influences that are impacting that decision. Your current knowledge systems and beliefs may need to be challenged to ensure the right decisions are made.