By Billy Snead

One thing I have noticed since attending the SPOR convention in Canberra in May is that many of us in risk and safety are at a crossroads of a new job or career or maybe just a change in direction of how we will conduct work.  Which direction do I take? How should I proceed in life?

I also have stood at the crossroads of my career in recent days, the path ahead seemed like a maze. The choices were overwhelming: stay in my comfortable job or take a leap into the unknown? Do I keep doing something that I knew was not congruent with my life? Do I keep practicing the way that I know does not work? I feel for everyone in that position right now.

One model that has helped me navigate some of the changes in my life just crossed my path in the current class I am taking in my SPOR studies with Rob – The Social Psychology of Organizing. Karl Weick’s book and concepts are used for this class.  His writing is tough to read and understand but it eventually hits you like a guiding light!  I must thank Travis Stephens – he was the one that I believe initiated the class with Rob and I just hijacked their class and have been hanging on for the ride.  Thanks Travis.

The one concept from the class that keeps resonating with me is sensemaking.  I jumped ahead in the book and to other writings of Weick and have been fascinated with the idea of Sensemaking.  Karl Weick defines sensemaking as: the process by which people give meaning to their collective experiences.  Essentially, sensemaking helps people structure the unknown, allowing them to act effectively in a shifting world.  It helps us make sense of our world.

When I first started reading about sensemaking, I downplayed its significance.  It’s about making sense, right?  How hard is that?  I’ve been doing it for 50 years and I have not had to think this much about it.  All of that is true, but there’s so much more to it.  Sensemaking is more than common sense—it’s a deliberate process that helps us navigate uncertainty and create meaning in our interactions with the world.

Sensemaking has become a guiding lantern for me in my life in just a short time – I wish I had known about it earlier in my life.  I have outlined Weick’s structure for sensemaking and applied it to my life over the last year – and it has certainly been a bit chaotic.  But it did help me to understand more of what was going on.  I changed jobs.  But what was going on at that time and how did I make sense of it?  So, what you say.  There’s more to it than that.  I hope this reflection helps you wherever you are in your journey in life and SPOR.

Here are some reflections on my life through the recent lens of Karl Weick’s sensemaking.

1. Identity Crisis: I reflected on who I was professionally. My identity was tied to stability, but whispers of curiosity urged me to explore. Weick’s idea of identity resonated—I needed to understand my role in this narrative.
2. Retrospection: I delved into my past decisions. Why did I choose my current job? What patterns emerged? I realized my fear of failure had kept me anchored. Retrospection revealed my mental map—a safety-first mindset.
3. Enactment: Conversations with mentors and peers became my sensemaking dialogues. Their narratives shaped my understanding. I enacted scenarios, mentally visualizing risks, rewards, and regrets. Dialogue transformed abstract ideas into tangible choices.
4. Ongoing Events: Life events— milestones- little synchronicity moments with SPOR—acted as cues. They nudged me to reassess. Weick’s notion of ongoing events reminded me that sensemaking isn’t static. The present context mattered.
5. Plausibility Check: I evaluated options. Was my fear of failure plausible? Could I adapt to change? Weick’s plausibility lens guided me. I discarded rigid mental models and embraced fluidity.

Weick’s model brought clarity for me.

 What a powerful model to use in life and in advancing the safety and health of people!

In the end, I stepped into the unknown. The maze didn’t vanish, but my lantern flickered with purpose. Sensemaking wasn’t a one-time revelation; it was a compass for my journey.

I have learned that sensemaking isn’t about avoiding challenges but about navigating them effectively.  Its an ongoing process that can help me find clarity in chaotic moments in my life.

Karl Weick’s sensemaking model helps us make sense of the world, adapt to change, and improve our interactions with others. IF we embrace his approach, we enhance our ability to navigate life’s complexities and make informed decisions about our futures.

Billy