I swear I think these “coaches” were all safety professionals in their previous careers. ?
I look back at all the “right words” spoken in meetings, only to be followed up with decisions/choices by managers that conflicted with their words.
Most of us call it “walking the talk”; but then that same management group will eventually turn to the safety leader and ask “why is their no TRUST between us and our employees”.
We can take a lesson from the pandemic and our politicians. I think most can relate to the “rules for me – but not for thee” saying from the past two years.
See adults (much like our children) do not like being told to do something or not to do something and then witnessing the parent/authority doing that very same thing. It makes trust evaporate into thin air and it sure and the hell is not leadership and at best is just poor management.
We LEAD by example and in safety, safety leaders set the behavioral expectations by being a leader inside and outside of the workplace. How we drive, our choices of lifestyles, etc. – knowing that the non-believers are watching our every move just waiting to pounce on a decision we make.
But remember, just like those management people we claim don’t walk their talk- we too have to walk our talk!
