Tips for high performance leadership and teamwork - Just Culture

Just Culture: Balancing Accountability and Learning

“No one raised any concerns, so I assumed everyone was aligned.”

“I told you that already—why wasn’t it actioned?”

“They should have spoken up if they had an issue.”

These are common things to hear in teams where mistakes are met with blame rather than inquiry. In high-stakes environments like aviation, such a culture can be catastrophic. At On Target, we believe that cultivating a Just Culture—one that balances accountability with learning—is essential for high-performance leadership and teamwork.

What Is a Just Culture?

A Just Culture is an organisational mindset that promotes open reporting and learning from errors, while still holding individuals accountable for their actions. It's about creating an environment where team members feel safe to speak up without fear of unjust punishment. This concept is integral to safety management systems in aviation and is increasingly being adopted in other high-risk industries.

The Importance of Balancing Accountability and Learning

In a Just Culture, the focus shifts from blaming individuals to understanding the underlying factors that contribute to errors. This approach encourages continuous learning and improvement, which are critical for maintaining safety and performance standards. By analysing incidents without assigning undue blame, organisations can identify systemic issues and implement effective solutions.

Implementing a Just Culture in Your Team

1. Encourage Open Communication

Create channels for team members to report errors or near misses without fear of retribution. This openness fosters trust and facilitates early identification of potential issues.

2. Differentiate Between Human Error and Negligence

It's important to distinguish between unintentional errors, mistakes, situational violations and wilful negligence. This distinction ensures that accountability is fair and constructive.

3. Focus on Systemic Improvements

Use incidents as learning opportunities to improve processes and systems, rather than solely focusing on individual performance. This systemic approach leads to more sustainable improvements.

4. Provide Training and Support

Equip your team with the necessary training and resources to perform their tasks effectively. Continuous education reinforces a culture of competence and confidence.

5. Lead by Example

Leaders should model the behaviours they wish to see in their teams. Demonstrating transparency, accountability, and a commitment to learning sets the tone for the entire organisation.

The Role of Leadership in Fostering a Just Culture

This is critical - Leaders play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining a Just Culture. By promoting open dialogue, supporting team members, and focusing on systemic solutions, leaders can create an environment where accountability and learning coexist. This balance is essential for high-performing teams, especially in high-pressure situations.

Conclusion

Implementing a Just Culture is not about eliminating accountability; it's about creating a balanced approach that encourages learning and continuous improvement. By fostering an environment where team members feel safe to report errors and focus on systemic solutions, organisations can enhance performance, safety, and trust.

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Mike Mason and Sam Gladman are the co-founders of On Target, a leadership and team development company that brings elite fighter pilot expertise into the corporate world. With decades of combined experience in high-performance aviation, they specialise in translating critical skills such as communication, decision-making, and teamwork into practical tools for business. Through immersive training and cutting-edge simulation, Mike and Sam help teams build trust, improve performance, and thrive under pressure—just like the best flight crews in the world.

If you'd like to learn more about how On Target can help your team, contact Mike and Sam at info@ontargetteaming.com