A Mentor Gives the Wrong Advice
Earlier this winter, I got a call from an avalanche colleague in California.
“Drew, I haven’t been sleeping well. My ulcer has flared again.”
“Tell me.”
“Six weeks ago, I was out alone and was caught in an avalanche. I lost gear but I’m fine. I haven’t told anyone but one other colleague. I fear retribution from the brass.”
A few years ago at the Wyoming Snow and Avalanche Workshop, I presented a talk called Shame. You can find that talk and my original essay HERE>.
I told my friend that accidents are generally complex events and that I was so glad that the era of shame and blame was over. Professionals need to lead by example. When the public sees that professionals are getting surprised, they realize that they need to take two steps back from the edge. This transparency also encourages the public to share their own close calls and accidents as well.
My friend felt relieved by what I had to say and said that he would talk to his bosses and share the incident with the public. “We all have something to learn,” he said.
Two days later, my friend called again.
“Drew, had me resign my position and then issued a press release outlining my removal “due to breaches in operational safety standards and reporting protocols.”
I was stunned. I spoke to a world that should be, not as it is.
I know of other professionals that have been involved in avalanches and kept their mouths shut. They lost respect, but not their job.
Lesson learned.
Not long ago, a heli-ski guide was killed in an avalanche in Alaska. Saved them the paperwork of firing him.
