Robinson workplace wisdoms - some of the classic things I've come out with

Robinson Wisdoms

A space to create and think as well as work
©David Robinson

After 49 years of office life I've been reflecting on some of those gems I've come out with and feel it's only right to share them with the general public; please feel free to use them as you see fit; let's start with my views on contractorization.

"In my 40 years experience of working with contractors in the ESI I've found you will either get ripped off or badly let down on delivery.............

........... and if you're really unlucky it will be both!"

On writing safety cases:

"No one can sail a C&I safety case closer to the wind than I can."

"Writing safety cases is an art form; scientists will struggle with this media as we have to rely on creative genius to succeed and not simply black and white facts."

"Your verifier needs to be your strongest player."

And remember the words of Graham Greene "Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation."

On leadership:

"In my 40 years experience one of my biggest disappointments has been seeing the lack of faith leaders place in their staff, leaders who would rather listen to the views of those who say what they want to hear - generally the suppliers who are ripping them off"

"Being a natural leader isn't a quality we look for but occasionally the pool throws up one that is."

On PowerPoint and presenting:

"I am a child of the PowerPoint generation, nowadays I even think in PowerPoint bullets."

"Never forget the magic of the flip chart and the power of the flip chart pen."

This one needs some explanation. I was referring to how if you've been in a room where a flip chart has been used to draw and explain a complex issue there always something that binds those who were present together, they have a deeper understanding than those who simply look at the diagram afterwards. And the ultimate power rests with the person who wields the pen.

On decision making:

"The future of [technical area] in this company is inextricably linked to [supplier], not inexplicably"

I was particularly proud of that one although I can't fill in the blanks I'm afraid!

"[supplier]'s arrogance is exceeded only by their incompetence"

"Engineering is the only way of adding value; only an engineer can produce something out of nothing."

"Collaboration means compromise."

"When one of our previous Chief Executives came out with "If this Company needs Project Managers we'll get them out of Yellow Pages" I'm sure he meant under A for Atkins or Arup and not B for Barnum and Bailey!"

Very proud of that one!

On QA Audits

"A QA audit is like an enema; you don't look forward to it but ultimately you know it's going to do you good!"

"All auditors simply want to identify a couple of Findings and issue a Corrective Action; you might as well let them find you don't have a Quality Plan so that they can tell you to produce one and then you can both get on with life.

On our relationship with the Plant

Littlebrook D Unit 1
©CEGB

"The plant is generally well designed; we let it down by either not looking after it correctly or doing something stupid with it.

• Chernobyl was an act of stupidity
• Fukushima was an act of nature
• [Generation Company] have shown themselves capable of acts of stupidity."

When the bean counters get in the way of sound Engineering

"What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household, who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?"

I trust you know who said that originally!?

On retirement

"You have to make sure that when you retire there are people there who can know what a good job you've done; don't be the last person in your peer group to go so that you're just thought of as the old duffer who sits in the corner."

"My legacy is my written words of which I’ve produced a lot over the past few years so if the going gets tough in the weeks or months ahead can I suggest that you perhaps read a few of them. But ultimately I’m under no illusions as to the impact of my leaving, in fact the impact of all 80 of us leaving, you have to remember the stone thrown in the pond analogy; they’ll be a few ripples but they will pass after a while and all will be calm again. That is both disturbing and reassuring but it is the reality of how organisations survive; I wish you all well for the future."

Heading off into the sunset
©David Robinson

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DISCLAIMER: As always these thoughts are wholly my own and do not reflect the thoughts and policies of my previous employers (whoever that might have been).