Abstract

The importance of visible felt leadership in the safety space alongside a robust safety culture is paramount to continuous improvement in this area. Leadership can be forged in different ways. However, being a strategic leader is particularly critical to ensure not only a tactical approach to safety but a visionary one as well. Operational discipline is so indispensable in safety that, without learning to identify hazards and risks, the organization is beholden to an endless loop of reactivity. This presentation discusses how incorporating operational discipline from the ground up leads to positive safety performance.  Visible felt leadership is an important trend that is key in not only improving safety performance but achieving a robust safety culture. Visible felt leadership means talking to your people, hearing their concerns, and empowering your frontline leaders as part of the management team. As well, you need to ensure safety initiatives are incorporated into business strategies and receive the prioritisation they necessitate.  Other leadership trends focus on competencies and skills such as: courage and determination, ethics and integrity, empathy and concern for your team, clarity of vision, inspiring leadership, especially during tough times, clear and direct communication, and developing and empowering your team.  Motivation is a key factor to impulse your team to achieve their goals, give the necessary energy to overcome challengers, maintain perseverance, and promote a joint effort  Leading with positivity, visibility and prevention is one of the many leadership trends we see today. Another leadership trend is contrasting the what and how of leadership. Everything you do falls along a continuum: all the way from operational to strategic. Strategic focus looks at the big picture (what´s the future, where do we need to grow, how do we innovate, etc). Enabling to forceful on the vertical axis.  Strategic leaders move from a tactical to a strategic approach. The skills needed in today´s world include agility, flexibility, strong communication skills, and the ability to synthesize and communicate effectively to others.  Some skills for effective and positive safety performance include:  Listening  Gaining trust and building honest relationships  Learning not to micromanage  Learning to be proactive, not reactive  Looking at the big picture - the future  Are you growing leaders? Ask the following:  How do you provide opportunities for young managers to develop expertise outside their current department or role?  How do you reward those who consider the organization´s overall mission and goals in their decision-making? Does your organization´s executive team do the same?  In your team meetings, how do you encourage brainstorming and discussion around the tensions and challenges of leading others?  How are you encouraging and developing broad-level strategic thinking in your management team?  Ensure you are creating a Purpose-Driven Culture by:  Think of 3-5 values to define your team. Why do they matter and how will they shape or influence your team´s success?