What Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents teach us about the Business?

If you have seen, Chernobyl Web Series you can agree that it's the worst nuclear disaster ever because it could have been clearly avoided. But When I learned about Fukushima, I couldn't stop myself to write about both of them. Because comparing both the incidents teach us a lot about business and management. Here are my few insights:

1. Never compromise with the product quality

Though Fukushima's nuclear plant (1971) was older than Chernobyl's (1977), the design of Chernobyl was poorer. The graphite moderator was used for cost-cutting in RBMK type reactors that is considered to be a major reason for the disaster.

Surprisingly, In the case of Fukushima Just 4 days before the incident a report was submitted that the plant can be venerable to large tsunamis. Sadly, Before any action can be taken to improve it, what was feared happened.

In the case of Chernobyl, the Government was altered about the bad design by the scientists but silenced by the Bureaucrats.

So no matter what never compromise with the quality of the product and always keep on analysing and improving it.

2. A good manager always listens to team suggestions

When an improper test was being conducted in Chernobyl the engineer told their manager that it's not safe to do the test and they should stop, but the impulsive manager didn't listen at all and forced them to carry on ultimately leads to the explosion.

A good manager always listens to his team and encourage them to speak up. This brings value because people working on ground level has more insight.
If you are aware of the Toyota Production System and its core value is to always respect teammates and listen to the suggestion that most valuable piece of information you can listen to improve your process and hence your company.

3. If you don't hide success, don't hide failures too

Two immediate trauma deaths; 28 deaths from Acute Radiation Syndrome out of 134 showing symptoms; four from an industrial accident (helicopter crash); 15 deaths from radiation-genic thyroid cancers (as of 2005); as many as 4000 to 90000 cancer-related deaths.

~ Wikipedia

In the case of Fukushima, the number of Direct fatalities from the accident is 0. When the higher management came to know about the incident there instead of covering it up they informed the Government Before the explosions. Following the 2nd rule, the government declared a national nuclear emergency and evacuated the place way before the release of the radiation.

Chernobyl failed and this miserably, the place wasn't even evacuated days after the incident. The adults and children were roaming free on the street unaware of dangerous levels of radiation they were exposed to.

Failures make you stronger only if you accept them, reflect on them and keep the lessons in the mind

4. Fight till the end no matter what

Something that is touching about both Chernobyl and Fukushima is that how people worked till the end to fix the problem despite the health risks. Whether it's the coal miner working in Chernobyl or older employees taking the shift of younger employees to save them from radiation. These are the people who risked their lives to save thousands of people.

When you have a problem in front of you all the energy should first go into resolving it other than pointing fingers.

Because this is what matters.

Conclusion
I believe these lessons are valuable to every team and organisation. We should always learn from ours as well as other's mistakes. I hope you have enjoyed this article and learned something new also. These are values by which our company Skynox Tech works and helps entrepreneurs.

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