The most dangerous shortcut is not always the obvious one.
It is the shortcut that has worked many times before.
The first time, it feels like an exception.
The second time, it feels practical.
The third time, it becomes experience.
Eventually, people say:
“We always do it this way.”
“The official method takes too long.”
“Nothing has ever happened.”
“This is how the job really gets done.”
But “nothing happened” is not always evidence of safety.
Sometimes it is evidence of luck.
There is a difference between failing safely and failing lucky.
Failing safely means the controls worked.
Failing lucky means the weakness was present, but the consequence did not arrive this time.
Leaders under pressure must learn to see the difference.
That is one of the themes in my briefing:
Leadership Under Pressure
Why Good Systems Fail When Real Work Gets Difficult
The goal is not more paperwork.
The goal is better control when work becomes difficult.
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