Volume 2020-15
During one of my travels in Japan, I found myself in the lead car of a train. The view was pretty cool with various landmarks, a mixture of nature and buildings, and the steady flow of oncoming trains. I was able to observe the lone conductor through the glass and noticed how she was regularly pointing at the different gauges and markers along the train track. I wondered at times if she was signaling to other workers as we approached a station or was passing time? I had observed the professional manner of the train conductors throughout my travels and figured it was a standard protocol for them as they checked different things.
After returning to the U.S., a friend sent me an article discussing a skill utilized in various performance-related fields. The article was interesting and generated some thoughts of what shisa kanko looks like in my life? The full story can be seen at https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-japanese-skill-copied-by-the-world?utm_source=pocket-newtab&fbclid=IwAR1tILG0Et9LAt8aNIV_MLrh0T5CjovuRmlvJBk9bhfjfVvBR3X1lv1SkvA
As I read the article, I reflected back to my experience watching the train conductor pointing at various things. Shisa kanko translates to mean, checking and calling and is a technique that railway employees have used for over 100 years. It is taught to them in their training program, and studies have shown mistakes being reduced by 85%. The idea behind checking and calling is for the person to be in the moment, focused on the task they are performing, and to point and call things out that are part of their duties. The awareness the conductors must have is critical when they are responsible for the safety of many customers.
I reflected on how this could apply to me. First, I thought of situations where this was taught or practiced. There were many things in the military where we used a systematic method to inspect or review to ensure mission preparation. Pre-combat inspections (PCIs) came to mind, but this was left to how each leader preferred to execute.
The PCIs were not an organizational practice as far as a sequence, though. I then thought about the duties of a jumpmaster. A jumpmaster is a more senior parachutist responsible for all aspects of an Airborne (parachute infiltration) operation. Their responsibilities include mission planning, inspecting the equipment of paratroopers, ensuring the aircraft was safe, and exiting paratroopers at the appropriate time.
Jumpmasters learn a prescribed sequence to inspect jumpers, aircraft, and give commands. It is shisa kanko in practice, and a specified method followed by every jumpmaster as covered in regulations. I thought about the “why.” Several reasons come to mind. First, much like the train conductors, safety is paramount as lives are on the line. A major equipment infraction can result in the death of a jumper. Second, their actions communicate uniformity and confidence to everyone involved. In jobs where the performer has to be “in the moment” and alert, checking and calling will reduce errors leading to a better chance of success.
While we may not be jumpmasters or responsible for the safety of people, are there aspects of checking and calling we can implement to improve our performance? Whenever I fly overseas, I make a list of important items such as a passport, credit cards, and contact information then place them into the appropriate location. I thought about performance-related tasks such as kendo and playing guitar. The sensei had us calling out the attack point as we struck the opponent with the shinai. I was able to retain notes on the neck of the guitar by pressing the appropriate string on a fret and verbally naming the note. These are but a few examples I thought of where shisa kanko is evident in my regular practice.
It is incredible how we can improve the performance of various tasks by implementing shisa kanko. These tasks can be critical tasks as previously mentioned or performance measures we want to improve, such as a skill. In the future, when we encounter an obstacle or seek to learn something new, perhaps we can remember a technique that has been in practice for centuries to better ourselves.
Pat