June 02 2020
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Pre-COVID-19, few organizations were exceptional with the effectiveness of their first-line supervisors. Historically, most organizational change to affect safety performance has been either top-down or bottom-up, leaving the supervisors squeezed out. Yet, the most important individuals who shape operational performance in any category, as well as occupational culture, are the most undertrained, under-resourced, underutilized, and unaccountable individuals in many companies. In 2020, the challenge not only remains, but it is amplified and will be a contributing factor to operational issues of all kinds, including safety incidents.
As corporations are beginning to either start back up or return to normal operations, the forward-thinking are taking time to first align and resource their front-line leaders. Work design has changed in many areas. New information needs to be conveyed without relying on the standard communication channels or methods. As with any change, humans respond emotionally before logically. With the state of things currently, emotions are high and the distractions remain. How prepared are your leaders on the front line?
Before bringing back your crews to full-time operations, consider bringing back in your leaders of people, especially the first-line supervisors. Ensure they have the tools to set your workforce up for success and a safe return to work.
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.
