Drills

Happy Friday!

Welcome to this edition of “Drills” (#239).

A long time ago, when we used to go to the office regularly, routine drills were conducted at work. During the last two decades of my career in California, we had fire drills and earthquake drills on a regular basis. Although Californians frequently experience fires and earthquakes, I never took these drills seriously in my early career. During evacuation drills, many of us would gossip and crack jokes. However, it wasn't until a real earthquake struck while I was at the office that I understood the importance of these drills. I have never taken them lightly ever since.

This week's disturbing news of a school shooting in Georgia and the loss of innocent lives has once again sparked a heated national debate over safety standards in schools. While I do not intend to delve into that debate, I want to highlight that the routine drills conducted in schools to prepare for such incidents have undoubtedly saved many lives. Beyond the drills, improvements to the process are also cited as key factors in containing the situation. Numerous?news?outlets have noted that the new panic alarm system, which was set up just a week ago, prevented a much larger tragedy.

Drawing from these experiences and incidents, I want to highlight the importance of the drills we routinely conduct at our workplaces to maintain the safety and sustainability of our systems. Each of us play a critical?R.O.L.E.?in it.???

R?– Responsiveness – In an emergency, the key differentiating factor is your responsiveness. The time is of essence in those situations and your agility to jump into action matters immensely.??

O?– Ownership: Regardless of your title, taking ownership to address the situation is vital. Leaders are not just those with titles but those who step up when the moment demands it.

L?– Learning: Continuous learning is crucial. Reflect on each drill and real-life incident to understand what went well and what could be improved. This mindset ensures that we are always better prepared for the future.?

E?– Encouragement: Foster a culture where safety drills and emergency preparedness are encouraged and taken seriously. Motivate your colleagues and team members to understand the significance of these practices and participate earnestly.

Let me close with this quote by Benjamin Franklin, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."?

Stay safe, Stay healthy and Stay blessed.?Thank you and have a safe weekend.

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