One of the most important things any leader or organization on the journey to cultivate and sustain a proactive, collaborative safety culture, must recognize and understand is the fundamental differences in perspective between themselves and hourly employees, especially those closer to the work. Acknowledging and consciously bridging this gap is a key responsibility for any leader committed to fostering such a culture. As T.H. Kelly emphasizes in The Little Green Handbook, one of the most effective ways to bridge this gap is simply by taking the time to “Know Thy Troops.” According to the author, a leader can not properly communicate with or command people they do not know.
No safety leader or organization can effectively drive change without genuinely understanding how others, especially those closer to the work perceive the world. Connection is a powerful tool to truly understand people. Approaching people with humility and curiosity, rather than from a place of knowing is one of the best ways to build that connection. This means going to employees, actively listening, seeing the world through their eyes, understanding and appreciating their realities (work as done, not as prescribed), and most importantly, valuing their insights. By asking about their priorities, challenges, and the solutions they envision for the issues they face, leaders gain invaluable perspectives, build collaboration, and develop stronger, more trusting relationships.
By taking the time to deeply know and understand our frontline employees, thus, who they are, their needs, viewpoints, and experiences, we take the first and most important step to unlocking the potential to create a proactive safety culture grounded in collaboration and strong, authentic relationships.
Reference
Kelly, T. H. (2005). Handbook: The Little Green Book. Leadership Publications.
