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 Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular 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. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
