You’ve heard the phrase, “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” The duck test, while sometimes helpful for identifying species of waterfowl, is not a helpful approach to safety leadership.
If you want to be a safety leader, you must know your workers. You must know their problems, values and—perhaps most importantly—how to communicate with them. Regardless of who you’re talking to, it’s important to speak in the language and manner that will resonate to ensure your message is understood.
Once there’s a general understanding, everyone can work toward creating a safer space for all, says Michael Kelley, vice president of quality, health, safety and environmental at Swift Current Energy. Kelley will be sharing his more than 39 years of experience as a safety professional working in traditional oil and gas sectors as well as renewable energy in United States, South America, the Middle East and Asia at the Safety Leadership Conference, being held October 20-22 in Phoenix. More information, including registration, can be found at www.safetyleadershipconference.com. Below is a preview of what to expect from Kelley’s presentation.
EHS Today: What does it mean to be a safety leader?
Kelley: A well-rounded safety leader is an individual who effectively promotes a culture of safety within an organization by demonstrating strong communication skills, proactive risk management and a commitment to continuous improvement. They lead by example, engage employees at all levels, prioritize training and education, and utilize data-driven strategies to enhance safety practices, ensuring a safe work environment for everyone. A safety leader sets the bar high!
How do our backgrounds and experiences affect our perceptions of safe practices?
People come from all sorts of backgrounds. What might seem like common sense to one person could have others scratching their heads. If you grew up in a town where everyone wears hard hats while mowing' the lawn, you might think that's just how it's done. But if you hail from a place where safety's as loose as a goose, well, you might not see the need for all that fuss. Our backgrounds shape our views, much like a good old pot of gumbo—everyone puts their own special twist on it!
How can safety professionals train themselves to change their perceptions so they’re not affected by implicit or explicit biases to what’s around them?
Well, it's all about keeping your eyes wide open and looking at the big picture! Safety pros need to do some soul-searching, maybe even take a good ol' dose of humility. They could try walking a mile in someone else's boots—figuratively, of course! Attending workshops, getting feedback or even watching a few TED Talks can help them shake off those biases like dust from a hay bale. It's like giving your mind a good spring cleaning! Well-received constructive criticism is invaluable.
In safety, we talk a lot about the importance of technical training for keeping workers safe. You suggest that it’s just as, if not more, important for safety professionals to be an adaptable communicator. Why?
If you can't talk the talk, you might as well be hollering' at a brick wall! Safety is not just about knowing the rules; it's about getting folks on board with those rules. The "Why we do things this way is important." If you can't make your message clear, it's like trying to explain quantum physics to a cat—it isn't going to happen!
Being an adaptable communicator means you can switch it up, whether you're talking to a seasoned worker or a wide-eyed newbie. That's going to keep everyone safer than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs!
How can safety professionals learn or hone their communication skills, especially since they have to speak different languages to different audiences?
They can start by practicing with their friends and family! Seriously, they can join groups like Toastmasters or take improv classes—yep, the ones where you're up there actin' a fool, but learning' to think on your feet. They could also watch how other folks communicate, pick up a few tricks, and maybe even invite a dialect or two into the mix. It's all about knowing' your audience and speaking' their language, even if it means throwing' in a "y'all" or two!
You’ve worked on four continents. How do safety practices or perceptions differ based on the local culture?
It's like trying to compare sweet tea to iced coffee. In some places, folks treat safety like a sacrosanct religion—everyone's wearing helmets and shinin' their boots. In others, it's more laid-back, like, "Eh, I'll just take my chances." Culture plays a huge role, and safety pros have to be savvy enough to understand those differences, just like you wouldn't wear flip-flops to a hoedown!
What are some universal safety principles? How can other safety professionals harness these to improve their own workplaces?
Now, that's a good question! Safety's like a good recipe: There are some ingredients you can't leave out! Things like communication, hazard recognition and teamwork are as universal as biscuits at a Southern breakfast. Safety professionals can harness these principles like a trusty old toolbox, making sure everyone's in the loop and working together like a well-oiled machine.
What’s one thing you hope attendees take away from your presentation at Safety Leadership Conference 2025?
I want them to walk away thinking, "We're all in this together!"
Safety isn't just my job; it's a way of life. If folks leave feeling empowered to be the change and spread the word like butter on a hot biscuit, then I'll consider that a win! Let's make safety contagious, y'all!
