Cathedral Thinking

Paul Leonard, EPSE, Vice President, Enterprise Safety, Entergy

Cathedral thinking is a concept inspired by the construction of medieval cathedrals, which spanned generations and required meticulous planning, a solid foundation, and unwavering commitment.

In the context of building a HRO, cathedral thinking emphasizes the importance of establishing a long-term vision while focusing on sustainable and systemic improvements. The foundation of this approach is trust. Visionary leadership is the cornerstone of our cathedral, articulating long-term objectives and instilling values of safety and excellence throughout the organization. Continuous learning represents the iterative process of refinement, encouraging adaptability and resilience.

A focus on becoming a  HRO ensures that the principles of cathedral thinking are embedded in daily operations. HROs operate under the understanding that failures can have catastrophic consequences, aligning every decision with the overarching desired goals. This is cathedral thinking in action = a persistent, disciplined approach to building something enduring and remarkable.