September 19 2022
By: Shawn M. Galloway
When enlisting in the US Army, I had to obtain a medical waiver due to an abdominal operation I had received two years earlier. There was, what I later experienced, a valid concern that the surgery might impact my fitness ability. After Basic Training, I was stationed at Fort Gordon to complete my Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Nearing my completion, I received news that my mother was very ill, and it was in my best interest to try to find a way to return home. I received approval to leave a few days early but needed to complete my final Army Physical Fitness Test, commonly known as the PT Test. The only struggle I had was the required number of sit-ups. Thankfully I had a great coach, surprisingly found in tough Drill Sergeant Martinez.
Knowing my situation, he took me aside and said, "You can do this, Private Cowboy; we will get you home." Yes, that was his nickname for me. He would give me additional "attention" during PT for the next few days. I will never forget his words, "Private Cowboy, it behooves you to pass your doggone PT test." When the time came for the test, my Drill Sergeant was there cheering me on. Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I will never forget how he made me feel because of what he said and did.
Leaders are in the people business. If they genuinely care about others, they should constantly coach them to help them perform to the best of their abilities, every time, everywhere. Think of some of your great leaders and how they made you feel. What can you take away from them and start applying today?
Thank you, Drill Sergeant Martinez, for teaching me leadership empathy.
"If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive." — Brené Brown
"Each of us has the power to inspire or depress, to lift others or to push them down." — Wilferd Peterson
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.
