September 07 2026
By: Shawn M. Galloway
It is almost always a conditions problem. When we treat engagement as something done to people, it becomes performative. Posters go up. Surveys get completed. And crews keep taking the same risks for the same reasons. 
Motivation cannot fix the fear of speaking up. It cannot fix anxiety about blame, frustration that problems never get fixed, or the quiet belief that extra effort will not matter.
When leaders reduce fear, they unlock psychological safety. People share weak signals earlier. They admit uncertainty. They suggest improvements. They invest discretionary effort because they expect a fair response and real follow-through.
So, if you want more ownership, change the question. Stop asking how to motivate your people. Start asking what they are afraid of, and what gives them pause.
Reduce the fear, and ownership follows.
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.
