December 13 2021
By: Shawn M. Galloway
A few years ago, I was simultaneously working with two different oil and gas companies in Houston on various projects. Company A's focus was on strategically enhancing aspects of their employee and leadership safety culture. Company B's project focus was on achieving excellence with contractor safety performance. Arriving at company A's headquarters, entering the parking garage, a voice came over the loudspeaker informing me of the safety requirements for driving inside of the garage. Before a meeting with the CEO, I had to watch a fifteen-minute safety video. Security then provided some additional specific safety information to aid in precautions I could also take to make my visit safe and enjoyable.
Arriving also to kick off the contractor safety project with company B, I parked in the garage, waited in the lobby, eventually entering the CEO's office. Not a single sign or mention of safety. I informed this leader of my distinctly different experiences, and it became an immediate catalyst for change. Most of the readers of this blog hire contractors, outsource work, or at least have visitors. What impression are you making with them as they walk in the door or arrive on campus?
Academically, culture is beliefs that govern behavior. If someone thinks safety isn't as important as other priorities, it will affect their behavior. However, if they believe safety is radically vital to everyone they associate with, this will also affect their behaviors. With first experiences, what are you doing to set the perception of priorities, values, and safety performance expectations? What are you doing to reinforce this with subsequent experiences?
"The first step in exceeding your customer's expectations is to know those expectations." - Roy H. Williams
"Our first impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment, which means that we can change our first impressions... by changing the experiences that comprise those impressions." - Malcolm Gladwell
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.
