October 26 2026
By: Shawn M. Galloway
It requires a few simple plays that frontline leaders run consistently.
Here is one you can start this week: Have a ten-minute ownership conversation with each direct report. Ask one question. What might prevent you from doing this job the right and safe way? Then listen. Do not defend. Do not explain. Just identify the obstacles they name.
Now here is the part that matters most. Remove one obstacle within a week. Then follow up to confirm it is resolved. Trust does not grow when people hear another safety reminder. Trust grows when people watch an obstacle disappear because they spoke up.
Run that play with one person this week. Run it with your whole crew next month.
Ownership begins the moment your people see that when they speak up, it actually changes something.
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.
