July 13 2026
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Cultures can be like tribes. Shared beliefs, unwritten rules, stories that shape how people behave when no one is watching. But here is what many leaders don’t see coming. Growth can kill tribes.
A chemical complex I worked with had celebrated years of strong safety performance. Then they built a new plant on the property. The population more than doubled. Problems multiplied. When I was brought in and traced it back, the General Manager said something I will never forget: 
"We outgrew our tribe."
The tribe could no longer norm the new members fast enough. And without the tribe, the culture drifted. This is not just a safety problem. It is a strategy problem. If you know your workforce will grow significantly in the next few years, preventing the tribe from being overtaken is not a nice-to-have. It is a strategic priority.
Every organization would like to grow. Does your safety strategy account for your growth trajectory? And how confident are you in your tribe’s ability to norm any new members?
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.
