July 25 2022
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Think safety. Be Safe. Think before you act. A minute to think matters. What do those mean? While well-intended antecedents, these terms are either viewed as meaningless or, at best, have a different meaning for different people. They create more confusion than clarity. 
We want people to think through their actions before acting. Makes sense. We want them to think about the hazards and risks they will face. Makes sense. We want them to think through what controls or precautions are necessary to address the hazards and risks. Makes sense. Then, why not specifically ask these? Vague directions create misaligned behavioral expectations.
Specificity matters, both in directions as well as thinking before acting. What specifically do you want people to do - not get hurt? Or do you want them to think specifically about what it takes to make that a reality and overcome what they will encounter along the way? Specificity matters.
"There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words." - Thomas Reid
"I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific." - Lily Tomlin
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.
