Re: Bravo Rick Heybroek (Skills vs. Personality)

John Bent (jbworld_at_netvigator.com)
Thu, 12 Mar 1998 08:23:02 +0800


I responded earlier to this sensible dialogue - but I think tht my other
e-mail fell over.
Yes, I agree that the CRM business cannot be about personality alone,
because few people are born with the required behavioral skills for a
modern airliner flight deck. We must define, train, practice, reinforce,
and continually review the behavioral skills necessary to complement the
technical skills required to do the job effectively and safely.

John Bent

At 12:41 11/03/98 -0500, V. Mancuso wrote:
>
>Rick writes:
>
>"The shock waves that went through BALPA and the industry IMO damaged the
>CRM implementation process in the UK and elsewhere not only by creating an
>illusory career threat but also, and more
>profoundly, by associating in many minds the terms "CRM" and "personality".
> We continue to struggle to make our pilot constituency aware that CRM
>assessment is NOT about personality, it is about SKILLS: ordinary,
>practicable, workable skills."
>
>BRAVO RICK !!!!!
>
>You have succinctly summarized one of the biggest barriers we have in CRM
>development. A survey I conducted with Navy researchers at a major
>airline in late 1996 confirmed that pilots perceive the definition of CRM
>and human factors to be primarily personality not skill. Operators also
>perceive CRM and human factors to be one in the same. A literature search
>reveals a pretty clear path to the source of personality-centered CRM. I
>do not know if we can totally overcome the misperceptions because they are
>so pervasive. The mere mention of the word CRM elicits a defensive
>posture from pilot groups which makes it quite difficult to build
>skill-based programs.
>
>Personality is a critically important issue for human performance
>(particularly for selection). However, to make attitude questionaires and
>personality the focal point of CRM programs has proven to be inappropriate.
>
>The first step in reversing the destructive inertia built over the past
>10-15 years is to develop: 1. A clear definition for CRM, 2. A clear set of
>desired skills, 3. A clearly stated purpose for CRM programs. CRM has
>become this amorphous, all encompasing, buzz word that includes all aspects
>of human performance.
>
>There were some interesting discussions in February 1997 about this
>problem.
>
>http://www.caar.db.erau.edu/crm-devel/Feb_97/0001.html
>
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Vince Mancuso
>
>