Living Up to 'Learning is Vital' with Starting Points

Things rarely go exactly as planned…

Work-as-imagined versus work-as-done? Yeah, we know that they can sometimes be miles apart. And we usually only dig deep when something goes wrong. But what about all those little things, the "failure in motion" signals, the stuff that's happening right now, even if it hasn't gone wrong yet? This pre-event learning, that's where we need to focus.

At The HOP Nerd LLC, we've got this tool, "Starting Points: Operationally Curious Questions," and it's designed to help you do just that. Think of it as a low-key way to start being operationally curious, asking questions, and getting a feel for how things actually get done. No formal meetings, no training, no big presentations, just simple questions that spark great conversations.

Look, Learning Teams are fantastic. We help to facilitate hundreds of them every year, we love them! They're structured, they're thorough, and they're great for diving deep into specific issues. But before you can launch a Learning Team, you need to know where to learn. That's where "Starting Points" comes in...

In the world of Human and Organizational Performance, we know "Learning is Vital." It's not just something that happens; it's something we choose. We deliberately decide to learn and improve, especially before things go sideways. "Starting Points" is a practical way to put that principle into action. It's about everyday learning, discovering those subtle signals before they turn into full-blown problems. And improving with those nearest to the work. You can use it in your daily huddles, while walking around the facility, during coffee breaks, or even just by chatting with your team. It's about being curious, asking learning focused without making it a big deal.

Think of it as a pre-event learning tool. You don't need a disaster to start learning. You can use it to identify those areas where things are a little wonky, a little inefficient, or just plain confusing.

It's about making learning a regular, deliberate part of your workflow, not just something you do when things go south. It's about being proactive, not reactive. And it's about making your work better, one question at a time, guided by the understanding that learning is a choice, and a vital one at that.

Ready to bring more curiosity into your organization? Discover how "Starting Points" can help you foster deliberate learning and improvement.

Explore our original card decks and journals, or learn more about licensing options to customize and embed operationally curious questions directly into your workflows. Join the growing number of organizations choosing to proactively learn and improve, pre-event, with "Starting Points!"

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About Sam Goodman

With over 17 years dedicated to the advancement of safety and Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), Sam Goodman is a leading voice in operational curiosity, learning, and improvement. His career has encompassed diverse and challenging environments, including significant leadership roles in safety and human performance within power generation, with a specialized focus on the rigorous standards of commercial nuclear generation. This experience extends to broader power generation sectors, along with maintenance, construction, and various high-risk industries.

As a global consultant, keynote speaker, recognized authority on HOP, and author of multiple best-selling books on HOP & Safety, he has been instrumental in guiding organizations toward operational excellence. The HOP Nerd LLC has partnered with many organizations, both within the United States and internationally, to operationalize HOP principles, implement effective Learning Teams, and foster a culture of operational curiosity and continuous improvement. Sam’s

work has spanned a wide geographic range, impacting organizations in multiple countries and on multiple continents. Notably, The HOP Nerd LLC has worked with diverse industries, including healthcare, biomedical, oil and gas, chemicals, mining, power generation, and various manufacturing sectors such as steel mills, pet products, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and various product and equipment manufactures.

Sam is passionate about empowering teams to learn from their operations, drive meaningful change, and achieve sustainable operational success.

About The HOP Nerd LLC

The HOP Nerd LLC is a consulting firm specializing in Human and Organizational Performance. We provide a range of services such as HOP Fundamentals and Learning Team training, process improvement, strategy, HOP consulting, team development, and leadership coaching, to help organizations optimize their operations and achieve sustainable success. The HOP Nerd LLC is committed to delivering high-quality solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each client.

About Starting Points: Operationally Curious Questions

Starting Points are a deck of operationally curious icebreakers designed to spark meaningful conversations about the realities of work. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple and effective way to initiate insightful conversations, uncover hidden perspectives, and foster continuous improvement. Whether you're in the field, leading a team meeting, facilitating a workshop, or simply looking to encourage deeper conversations, Starting Points are a fantastic tool for everyone, regardless of their role or experience.

Keywords: Human & Organizational Performance, Learning Teams, How-To, HOP Tools, Safety, Leadership, Quality, Efficiency, Starting Points, HOP Principles