The role of managerial education in supporting a top-down approach
Aviation has become a very safe form of transport, the result of the industry’s focus on both technical and human factors. Having the right technology in place is vital to maintaining safety, but it needs to be backed up by a culture that puts safety at the heart of everything the organization does. Every individual within the organization, from top executives to frontline employees, must be committed to maintaining the highest safety standards.
This article will explore the benefits of instilling a robust safety culture across an organization. It will focus on the central role that leadership plays in building a safety culture, and the importance of educating managers, especially those without prior aviation experience.
There are several ways that a robust safety culture enhances an aviation organization’s overall performance. It reduces the likelihood of incidents and accidents by promoting adherence to safety protocols and encouraging proactive risk management. This leads to safer operations and reduces the risk of both regulatory non-compliance and equipment damage and failure.
It also fosters a sense of trust and respect among employees, improving morale and engagement. If every employee knows that they can (and should) stop operations at any time if they see something unsafe without fear of the consequences, they will feel empowered to speak up and act. This might create some short-term challenges, but in the medium-term it is likely to highlight where operational improvements can be made. In the longer-term, if workers feel safe and valued, their job satisfaction and engagement levels will improve, and productivity and performance will be enhanced.
Organizations known for their strong safety culture build trust with passengers, regulators and stakeholders. This can increase customer loyalty and improve reputation, which in turn can make safety a competitive advantage.
Implementing and sustaining a robust safety culture in aviation is not an easy task, and there are several challenges that need to be acknowledged, including:
Employees may fear repercussions for reporting safety issues, leading to underreporting of incidents and unresolved hazards. Creating a fair and transparent culture is essential to encouraging open communication.
Safety culture is often looked at from the perspective of front-line employees, focusing on hazard identification through safety reports, compliance with safety protocols/procedures and awareness of risks. The role of the senior management in the organization’s safety culture is often overlooked, but in many ways it is crucial.
When senior executives prioritize and frequently talk about safety, it sets a clear example for the entire organization. Leadership commitment signals that safety is not just a regulatory requirement but a core value.
Leaders have the authority to allocate resources effectively. A top-down approach ensures that resources are dedicated to safety training, equipment and systems.
Effective safety policies and procedures are more likely to be implemented and adhered to when they are championed, understood and raised in discussions by senior management.
Leaders shape organizational culture. Their attitudes and behaviors towards safety influence the entire workforce, creating an environment where safety is a collective responsibility.
One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the aviation sector was the loss of many experienced professionals, many of whom had honed their safety instincts over years. The aviation industry must build back the lost experience, but it will take time, hard work and education.
Aviation is a heavily regulated industry with multiple oversight requirements including:
New executives and managers need to be familiar with the range of industry regulations and standards required to ensure compliance and avoid penalties for both the individual and the organization.
Senior leaders that join the aviation sector from other industries may lack specific knowledge about aviation safety and culture. An efficient education program can help plug the gap. Educating these leaders about the importance of safety in an environment as challenging as aviation is not simple, but it is essential if they are going to make informed decisions that prioritize safety and protect the reputation of the organization.
They also need to understand that efficient safety communication in aviation requires specific terminology and adhering to clearly defined protocols. Educated managers can communicate more effectively with their teams and regulatory bodies by using the right safety language, which can be particularly vital if an incident starts to escalate. When managers are knowledgeable about aviation safety and ways of communicating, they gain the trust and respect of their teams, which is crucial for fostering a strong safety culture.
While training leaders from outside the aviation industry can be a challenge, the potential benefits of bringing them through could be significant, not only in terms of filling the gaps left by COVID-19 but also the potential influx of new ideas and innovation they can bring to the aviation sector. Well-defined and implemented education programs will play an important role in getting them up and running.
Time is always a constraint in developing training programs that cover the range of subjects that an aviation safety program needs to cover. Organizations can potentially accelerate the process by implementing strategies such as pairing new managers with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and share practical insights. A program of ongoing education through workshops, seminars and online courses will keep managers and their teams updated on the latest safety developments and expectations.
In summary, a strong safety culture ensures compliance with safety regulations and drives operational excellence, enhances employee morale and builds a positive reputation, all of which contribute to superior safety performance in the aviation industry.
By ensuring that safety is a priority at the highest levels and equipping managers with the necessary knowledge and skills, aviation organizations can create a safer environment for both employees and passengers. Investing in safety culture is not just a regulatory requirement but a commitment to responsibility and excellence in the aviation industry.
WTW’s Aviation Safety Partnership (ASP) can help organizations develop and enhance safety cultures at all levels. Working under strict confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements, we have open conversations with organizations about their safety culture and the maturity of their safety management systems (SMS). WTW has developed an in-house survey toolkit that provides anonymized benchmarking that enables us to quickly assess an aviation organization’s safety culture and identify gaps and opportunities.
ASP creates comprehensive training programs for senior management and executives that are tailored to the time and needs of each position. We aim to support these services by leveraging the risk management bursary offered by some insurers which can make the activity cost-neutral to the organization.
WTW hopes you found the general information provided in this publication informative and helpful. The information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own legal advisors. In the event you would like more information regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. In North America, WTW offers insurance products through licensed entities, including Willis Towers Watson Northeast, Inc. (in the United States) and Willis Canada Inc. (in Canada).
