December 14 2020
By: Terry L. Mathis
There is an old joke that "a consultant is someone who comes into your office, looks at your watch and tells you what time it is." It is true. I have been asked to assess hundreds of safety programs and cultures, and everything I report back I got from the people in the organization. So why do you need someone to come in from outside to tell you what you could find out by asking your employees yourself?
The answer is the consultant can't fire them! The threat level is less, and anonymity can be maintained. Information can flow to the top of the organization in a format that is likely to get action rather than reaction. Information from the troops is mixed with the expertise of the consultant so it maps out a path forward rather than just a critique of existing conditions. The first step of navigation is accurately determining your current position. SME assessments can help make that determination.
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.
