Safety Leadership – Should we Stop Using this Term?

[CorporateHSEQManager]

Welcome All,

Many object to the use of the phrase “Safety Leadership”.  What are your thoughts on the subject?

[HSEguy]

I think safety leadership is a leadership style in and of itself. The academic literature makes a distinction between transformational leadership and safety-specific transformational leadership because you can be a transformational leader and pay no attention to safety.

[CorporateHSEQManager]

But that’s the point @HSEguy, if you are a transformational leader that pays no attention to safety, then are you really a leader?

Shouldn’t a leader have all leadership qualities, and if they miss any, well then they aren’t really a leader

[HSEguy]

@corporatehseqmanager, not all leaders are created equal. Some leaders will focus on quality more than safety. Many more will prioritize $$ over all else. Safety may be on every leader’s agenda but the passion and drive for it will vary from one leader to the next.

[HSEguy]

Check out Alcoa’s Paul O’Neill for the pioneer of safety leadership

[CorporateHSEQManager]

Everyone refers to Alcoa’s Paul O’Neill story, like its the only story on safety leadership.

Does anyone else know of any other stories about safety leadership?

[Author]

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