June 27 2022
By: Shawn M. Galloway
I have six kids who are currently 24, 16, 14, and 7-year-old triplets. They are individually unique, even each of the triplets-unique in their interests, preferences, and dislikes. If you have kids, siblings or parents, you have experienced these differences between even two individuals. Yet, when discussing what it takes to motivate employees or increase their yield from individual contributions, few substantive responses are provided. One leader responded, "That's why we have HR!" You can't delegate people leadership.
What motivates one person can demotivate another. Several like cheese, one despises it. One person likes to be up in front of their peers, another will work to never have that privilege. We are all in the human capital business. Our employees trade their energy, behaviors, interests, and attention for compensation. What are you doing to make that trade worthwhile? Another leader will, if you don't know your people and what interests or turns them off. Regardless of your business, if you are a leader of people, you are in the people business. That is your real business.
"Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution." - Deepak Chopra
"Imagine how many suicide victims would still be with us, if only the right person said the right thing at the right time." - Wayne Gerard Trotman
"When it comes to understanding others, we rarely tax our imaginations." - Lawrence Hill
Shawn M. Galloway is CEO of the global consultancy ProAct Safety. He is a trusted advisor, professional keynote speaker, and author of several bestselling books on safety strategy, culture, leadership, and behavior-based safety. He is a monthly columnist for several magazines and one of the most prolific contributors in the industry, having also authored over 700 podcasts, 200 articles, and 100 videos. Shawn has received awards and recognition for his significant contributions from the American Society of Safety Professionals, National Safety Council's Top 40 Rising Stars and Top Ten Speakers, EHS Today Magazine's 50 People Who Most Influenced EHS, ISHN Magazine's POWER 101 - Leaders of the EHS World and their newest list: 50 Leaders for Today and Tomorrow, Pro-Sapien's list of The Top 11 Health and Safety Influencers and is an Avetta Distinguished Fellow.