A Near Miss with Robert “Cujo” Teschner

NSSGA Podcast

Safety Shorts welcomes Robert “Cujo” Teschner to the podcast today to recount a harrowing “near miss” over the Atlantic that reshaped his view on risk and responsibility. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Cujo offers powerful insights into the dangers of prioritizing performance over safety, underscoring the importance of keeping safety as the ultimate measure of success in any high-stakes environment. Reflecting on how competitive instincts nearly led to disaster, he highlights the need for clear priorities, a message that resonates across industries. Remember - true success means everyone returns home safe.

Main Themes:

• Cujo’s story of prioritizing safety over performance in high-stakes environments

• Impact of competitive instincts on risk assessment and decision-making

• The importance of post-mission debriefs for continuous learning and behavior change

• Reflecting on how prioritization impacts those close to us

• Lessons in responsibility that transcend industries, including mining

• The influence of near-death experiences on personal values and perspectives

• Redefining "winning" as the safe return of every team member

Quotes:

"In our squadron, we practiced that exact scenario every day… but that day was different."

"We almost had a spectacular mid-air collision, the likes of which hadn't been seen in quite some time."

"My opponent was only motivated with winning that day, and that shift almost cost us our lives."

"In that moment, the need to 'win' took precedence over the importance of safety, with near-tragic results."

"When you start putting performance over safety, the consequences can be horrific."

"He had a wife and children, and yet we nearly lost it all for the sake of a training exercise."

"We both learned from it, and I define learning as behavior change."

"For any high-risk job, true winning means everyone gets home safe."

"Safety should always come first; that’s the only real definition of success."

Links:

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website

Robert “Cujo” Teschner