Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) are critical frameworks designed to enhance safety, mitigate risks, and foster a proactive safety culture within aviation organizations. However, implementing and maintaining an effective SMS often encounters resistance from employees, management, or other stakeholders.

For aviation safety managers, identifying and addressing this resistance is essential to ensure the system’s success and the organization’s safety performance. This article provides actionable tips to uncover resistance to SMS, offering practical insights to strengthen safety initiatives without relying on overused platitudes.

Why Resistance to Aviation SMS Occurs

Resistance to aviation SMS often stems from misunderstandings, competing priorities, or entrenched organizational habits. Employees may perceive SMS as additional bureaucracy, while management might question its cost-effectiveness. Other factors include:

• Lack of Awareness: Stakeholders may not fully understand the purpose or benefits of SMS.

• Resource Constraints: Limited time, budget, or personnel can make SMS adoption seem daunting.

• Cultural Barriers: A reactive safety culture or distrust in reporting systems can hinder SMS acceptance.

• Change Fatigue: Frequent operational changes may lead to skepticism about new initiatives.

By recognizing these root causes, safety managers can proactively identify resistance and tailor strategies to address it. Below are proven tips to uncover and manage resistance effectively.

Related Articles on Resistance to Aviation SMS

• 4 Tools to Find Resistance to Your Aviation SMS - with Free Resources
• 3 Tips to Discover Resistance to Aviation SMS - with Checklists
• Checklist to Quantify Resistance to Your Aviation SMS

1. Conduct Anonymous Surveys to Gauge Perceptions

Surveys are a powerful tool for uncovering hidden resistance to SMS. Anonymous surveys encourage honest feedback, allowing employees at all levels to express concerns without fear of repercussions.

How to Implement:

• Use clear, concise questions to assess understanding of SMS goals, perceived barriers, and trust in reporting processes. For example: “Do you feel the SMS adds unnecessary workload?” or “Are you confident that reported safety concerns are addressed?”

• Distribute surveys through digital platforms such as SMS Pro's Safety Survey module or during safety briefings to maximize participation.

• Analyze responses to identify recurring themes, such as misconceptions about SMS or dissatisfaction with resource allocation.

Why It Works:

Anonymous surveys provide quantitative and qualitative data, revealing attitudes that might not surface in open discussions. Regularly conducting surveys (e.g., annually) ensures you track changes in perceptions over time, keeping your SMS strategy aligned with workforce sentiment.

2. Observe Behavioral Cues During Safety Meetings

Resistance often manifests subtly in body language, participation levels, or offhand comments during safety meetings. Safety managers should actively observe these cues to identify individuals or groups who may be skeptical of SMS.

How to Spot Resistance:

• Low Engagement: Employees who rarely contribute to discussions or avoid SMS-related topics may feel disconnected.

• Defensive Reactions: Pushback against SMS processes, such as questioning the need for hazard reporting, can indicate underlying concerns.

• Siloed Communication: Departments that withhold information or resist collaboration may view SMS as intrusive.

Action Steps:

• Document observations discreetly and follow up with one-on-one conversations to understand concerns.

• Foster open dialogue by acknowledging feedback and clarifying SMS benefits, such as improved operational efficiency and reduced incidents.

Why It Works:

Behavioral cues provide real-time insights into attitudes that might not be captured through formal channels. Addressing these cues promptly prevents resistance from escalating into broader opposition.

3. Analyze SMS Reporting Trends

A robust SMS relies on consistent hazard and incident reporting. Low reporting rates or incomplete submissions can signal resistance, whether due to distrust, lack of training, or perceived futility.

How to Analyze:

• Review reporting metrics, such as the number of reports submitted per month, the types of issues reported, and the completion rate of follow-up actions.

• Compare reporting trends across departments or shifts to identify disparities. For example, a maintenance team with minimal reports may lack confidence in the system.

• Look for patterns in report quality. Vague or incomplete reports may indicate reluctance to fully engage with SMS processes.

Action Steps:

• Provide targeted training to address gaps in reporting knowledge or skills.

• Communicate success stories where SMS reporting led to tangible safety improvements, reinforcing its value.

• Simplify reporting tools to reduce friction, such as using mobile apps or streamlined forms.

Why It Works:

Reporting trends offer a measurable indicator of SMS engagement. By addressing low participation, safety managers can build trust and encourage a proactive reporting culture.

Related Articles on Creating Aviation SMS Trending Charts

• Aviation Safety Managers' Best Friend - Trending Charts
• How to Use Trending Charts in Aviation SMS
• Six Steps How to Perform Trend Analysis in Aviation SMS

4. Engage Frontline Employees Through Informal Conversations

Frontline employees, such as pilots, mechanics, and ground crew, are the backbone of SMS implementation. Informal conversations with these workers can reveal practical challenges or misconceptions about SMS that formal channels might miss.

How to Engage:

• Schedule regular walkarounds or coffee chats to connect with employees in their work environment.

• Ask open-ended questions, such as “What’s the hardest part of using the SMS safety reporting system?” or “How could safety processes be improved?”

• Listen actively without judgment, acknowledging concerns and offering solutions where possible.

Why It Works:

Informal settings foster candidness, allowing safety managers to uncover resistance rooted in day-to-day operational realities. These insights can inform targeted interventions, such as process simplifications or additional training.

5. Assess Training Effectiveness

Inadequate or poorly designed SMS training can lead to confusion and resistance. Safety managers should evaluate whether training programs effectively communicate SMS principles and practical applications.

How to Assess:

• Collect feedback immediately after training sessions through surveys or group discussions.

• Test knowledge retention through quizzes or scenario-based exercises weeks after training.

• Monitor post-training performance, such as increased reporting or improved hazard identification, to gauge impact.

Action Steps:

• Update training materials to address common pain points, such as overly technical jargon or unclear reporting protocols.

• Offer refresher courses to reinforce SMS concepts and maintain engagement.

• Tailor training to different roles (e.g., pilots vs. ground staff) to ensure relevance.

Why It Works:

Effective training builds confidence and competence, reducing resistance caused by uncertainty. Ongoing assessments ensure training remains relevant as organizational needs evolve.

Related Aviation SMS Training Articles

• What Is Aviation Safety Training in Aviation SMS - Includes Videos to Use
• 4 Pillars | 10 Things You Need to Know About Aviation Safety Training
• Understanding Role of Hazard Identification Training and Safety Reporting Forms

6. Monitor Management Commitment

Resistance to SMS isn’t limited to frontline employees—management’s attitude significantly influences its success. If leaders appear disengaged or prioritize cost over safety, employees may follow suit.

How to Monitor:

• Evaluate whether management actively participates in SMS activities, such as safety audits or incident reviews.

• Assess resource allocation for SMS initiatives, such as funding for training or technology upgrades.

• Solicit feedback from middle managers to understand their concerns about SMS implementation.

Action Steps:

• Advocate for executive buy-in by presenting data on SMS benefits, such as reduced incident costs or improved regulatory compliance.

• Encourage managers to model SMS behaviors, such as submitting reports or championing safety initiatives.

• Address resource concerns by proposing cost-effective solutions, like leveraging existing software for SMS integration.

Why It Works:

Management commitment sets the tone for organizational safety culture. Aligning leadership with SMS goals minimizes top-down resistance and fosters a unified approach.

Related Articles to Secure Top Management Support

• How Top Management Kills Your Aviation Safety Culture
• Advanced Aviation SMS: Top Management Support Drives SMS Profits
• How to Earn Top Management Support for Aviation SMS

7. Leverage Peer Influencers to Identify Resistance

Peer influencers—respected employees with strong interpersonal networks—can provide valuable insights into resistance. These individuals often hear unfiltered opinions from colleagues and can act as allies in promoting SMS adoption.

How to Leverage:

• Identify peer influencers through observation or nominations from supervisors.

• Engage them in safety committees or as SMS ambassadors to gather feedback and promote buy-in.

• Encourage influencers to share positive SMS experiences, such as how reporting resolved a safety issue.

Why It Works:

Peer influencers bridge the gap between management and employees, uncovering resistance through trusted relationships. Their endorsement can shift attitudes and encourage broader acceptance.

8. Evaluate SMS Integration with Daily Operations

Resistance often arises when SMS feels disconnected from daily workflows. Safety managers should assess how well SMS processes integrate with existing operational routines, such as the organization's quality management initiatives.

How to Evaluate:

• Map SMS tasks (e.g., reporting, audits) against daily job responsibilities to identify friction points.

• Solicit feedback on specific tools or processes, such as whether safety reporting forms are user-friendly.

• Monitor adoption rates of SMS technologies, such as safety apps or dashboards, to gauge usability.

Action Steps:

• Streamline SMS processes to align with existing quality management workflows, such as embedding reporting into routine checklists.

• Invest in user-friendly tools that minimize disruption, like mobile-compatible safety reporting platforms.

• Communicate how SMS enhances operational efficiency and quality, not just safety, to address productivity concerns.

Why It Works:

Seamless integration reduces the perception of SMS as an “extra” task, lowering resistance and increasing compliance.

Related Articles on Integrated SMS and QMS

• 5 Easy Ways to Combine QMS and SMS in Aviation Operations
• 4 Things to Understand About QMS and SMS in Aviation Risk Management
• QMS Programs vs Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

9. Track Resistance Over Time

Resistance to SMS is not static—it evolves as organizations mature. Safety managers should establish a system to track resistance trends and measure progress.

How to Track:

• Create a resistance dashboard that aggregates data from surveys, reporting metrics, and meeting feedback.

• Set benchmarks for SMS engagement, such as target reporting rates or training completion percentages.

• Conduct periodic reviews of data trends to assess whether interventions are reducing resistance.

Why It Works:

Long-term tracking provides a clear picture of SMS adoption, enabling data-driven adjustments to strategies. It also demonstrates progress to stakeholders, reinforcing the value of safety initiatives.

Related Articles on Creating Aviation SMS Trending Charts

• How to Prepare Data for Trend Analysis in Aviation SMS
• How to Trend Safety Culture Using Safety Reporting System
• How to Compare Your SMS KPIs With Industry KPIs - With Free KPI Resources

10. Foster a Just Culture to Reduce Fear-Based Resistance

Fear of blame or punishment can drive resistance to SMS, particularly in reporting. A just culture—where employees feel safe to report issues without fear of retaliation—is essential to overcoming this barrier.

How to Foster:

• Develop clear policies that distinguish between honest mistakes and reckless behavior, ensuring fair treatment.

• Publicize examples of “no-blame” resolutions to build trust in the reporting process.

• Train supervisors to handle reports with empathy and transparency.

Why It Works:

A just culture encourages open communication, reducing resistance rooted in fear. It also strengthens the SMS by increasing reporting volume and quality.

Conclusion

Discovering resistance to Aviation SMS requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach that combines

• data analysis,
• employee engagement, and
• cultural transformation.

By leveraging surveys, observing behaviors, analyzing trends, and fostering trust, safety managers can identify and address barriers to SMS adoption. These evergreen strategies ensure that SMS remains a cornerstone of aviation safety, delivering measurable improvements in risk management and operational performance.

For aviation safety managers, the key is persistence and adaptability. Regularly revisit these tips, refine your approach based on feedback, and champion a safety culture that aligns with your organization’s goals. By doing so, you’ll not only overcome resistance but also build a resilient SMS that stands to withstand scrutiny and sustain long-term engagement.

Call to Action: Ready to strengthen your Aviation SMS? Start by conducting an anonymous survey or engaging frontline employees today. Share your experiences or challenges with SMS adoption in the comments below, and let’s discuss how to drive safety forward. SMS Pro has tools to help you reduce resistance to change.

If you need tools to make your jobs easier with all the documentation, check out the following videos. User-friendly hazard reporting processes reduce friction to SMS.

Last updated May 2025.