June 06 2022
By: Shawn M. Galloway
It is easy to become distracted. It happens to the best of us. While annoying when it takes us out of being in the flow, it can be deadly in the wrong situations or environments. In a discussion with a group of line worker (electric utility) leaders on how to lead through distractions, an individual shared, "I was going through a divorce, and it was rough. The crew leader knew this and could see I wasn't all there. Initially, I was pissed he took me out of the bucket (bucket truck) for three weeks. It was probably the best thing for me." 
His leader did the right thing and was only able to because he knew him and what was going on in his world. The relationship built between employee and leader allowed for this.
The more you get to know your people, and things outside of work might be impacting them at work, the better you can help them perform to the best of their ability and sometimes even prevent catastrophic outcomes. Mistakes occur when our mind is not entirely on our task, some more deadly than others. Everyone falls victim to distractions. Don't be a victim because of those distractions.
"When there are thoughts, it is distraction: when there are no thoughts, it is meditation." — Ramana Maharshi
"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks." — Winston S. Churchill
Shawn M. Galloway is the CEO of ProAct Safety and an advisor to leading organizations across all major industries. With over twenty years of experience in safety systems, strategy, culture, leadership, and employee engagement, he is a trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness.
He is the author of several bestselling books and has multiple regular columns in leading magazines, with over 400 articles and 100 videos to his credit. He also created the first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence, with over 800 episodes. Shawn has received numerous prestigious accolades and has been featured in Power 101 Leaders of the EHS World, Top 50 People Who Most Influenced EHS, Top 40 Rising Stars, Top 11 Health and Safety Influencers, and Top 10 Speakers.
He serves on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and the Fast Company Executive Board. He has appeared as a guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts, reinforcing his status as an authority in the field of safety excellence.
For more information, call +1.936.273.8700 or email info@ProActSafety.com.
