Dr. Linda Sørensen, the Head of HSEQ & Human Factors at Frontline Management AS, recognizes the advancements in crew wellbeing and mental health, emphasizing the importance of embracing a comprehensive approach while maintaining a continuous focus on safety.
Driven by a dedication to address human factors and ensure safety, Linda explains how she combined her academic studies with her career and entered the maritime industry. Currently, her primary focus lies on enhancing navigational safety and implementing strategic safety measures within the industry.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Linda Sørensen: I started out with an education in psychology and branched out into engineering, focusing on human machine interaction. I was drawn to complex safety critical environments and how humans handle difficult operational scenarios. I ended my academic pursuits with a PhD in Human Factors, specifically situational awareness in teams. I joined the shipping industry to address human element and safety.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
L.S.: In my current role I get to influence safety at a strategic level which, hopefully, has a positive impact on the seafarers and the industry. I aim to solve entrenched safety problems, one at a time. Right now navigational safety is a key focus area.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
L.S.: John Fredriksen! He started with his own two hands and has built one of the most successful collection of maritime companies in the world.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
L.S.: My MBA from London Business School, apart from working hard in my roles and aiming to deliver beyond expectation.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
L.S.: The pandemic taught me that there is no shame in changing direction when information change, even if it’s a 180-degree turn. This has made me more humble and more able to adapt. Leaving aside all the negatives of the pandemic, I am grateful for this lesson.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
L.S.: The importance and priority of safety has become well recognized and central to decision making in our industry, this trend needs to continue. Additional to safety a holistic approach to crew wellbeing and mental health is required. A lot of positive has happened in recent years in this domain and I’m glad to be part of this shift in the industry.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
L.S.: Making small improvements creates the largest shifts!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
