May 13 2018
By: Terry L. Mathis
I recently read two studies and several articles that suggest people don't quit job or company; they quit their boss. I was just interviewed and asked for examples of companies with great safety strategies. I answered that it was not the company that had the great safety strategy, but the company's leader. I justified this statement with examples from my consulting clients where leaders moved from one company to another and the performance of the company they left declined while the safety performance of their new company improved.
Strategy is not about armies, but about generals. Leaders who strategically lead safety create winning performance. The National Safety Council (NSC) gives awards to "CEOs Who Get It." It is not about the company, but the CEO. These enlightened leaders realize they can delegate safety tactics but not overall safety strategy. They create these victories for their organizations, but the organization seldom learns the lesson and promulgates the practices. At best, they select a new leader who also "gets it."
Terry Mathis, Founder and retired CEO of ProAct Safety, has served as a consultant and advisor for top organizations the world over. A respected strategist and thought leader, Terry has authored five books, numerous articles, videos and blogs, and is known for his dynamic and engaging presentations. EHS Today has named him one of the '50 People Who Most Influenced EHS' four consecutive times. Business leaders and safety professionals seek Terry's practical insight and unique ability to introduce new perspectives that lead to real change.
