September 18 2016
By: Terry L. Mathis
There are many misconceptions about excellence. Some believe excellence does not matter in common, everyday jobs. Some think excellence is perfection. Some think excellent safety is simply zero accidents. Some think excellence can be focused in only one aspect of their enterprise and neglected in others. In my extensive experience as a consultant, I have not found excellence without safety. That is not to say excellent endeavors are without risks. It means that safety excellence is a necessary part of overall excellence and must be addressed.
Organizational leaders continue to tell me they view safety as an overall indicator of good management when selecting contractors and suppliers. They have observed that if safety is not well managed, then other aspects of the enterprise are also not well managed. Safety, however, is not simply an indicator of managing the enterprise well; it is an indicator of whether or not leaders truly care for workers. A disregard for workers will almost always manifest itself in workers disregarding excellence in the performance they give to the organization. Excellence in safety is an integral part of excellence in any other aspect of organizational performance. Savvy leaders know this and strategically address 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.
