A professional life lesson in our safety profession, from Dr. E Scott Geller…
Dance with those who want to dance!
Probably the best bit of advice I have ever received from a mentor. Some folks are not on board with real safety management principles; most of the time, we know who is with the safety movement and who is not. So rather than be combative with the non-believers, “dance with those who want to dance.” And over time, the believers will realize that safety works and is actually fun and rewarding. The “fence sitters” will see it happening and soon join in. Leaving a clear separation between the “believers” and the “non-believers.”
And if management is true to their words, they will address the non-believers. This approach has served me well for 30 years. In my early days as a safety engineer, I saw this method work wonders and cultures change, and safety was a wagon everyone (well, not everyone – but you get my point) wanted to be in. Safety should not be managed by “edicts” that walk out the door when the person who issued them walks out the door.
Educate and motivate those who wish to learn and grow.
Safety, including being in this profession, is not for everyone – some just will never “get it.” It is a valiant effort to try and educate and motivate those who wish not to be educated or motivated; just don’t let them put out your light so that you lose your love and passion for serving the working men and women who make this country what it is. Trust me, many organizations seek your passion for safety and your knowledge of how they can be the best they can be in safety. Find them, and your career will be far more rewarding. Just know that safety is never a cakewalk, even in the best of times. Setbacks are natural, but the dance NEVER ends when you have plenty of folks who want to dance to the same music!
