November 08 2021
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Getting people to do more than they have to in order to receive a paycheck is a challenge for even the best leader. Discretionary effort is vital for any area of operations to achieve excellence. In my work with organizations to pursue excellence in their culture, strong relationships are critical, especially three - someone's peers, the position above them, and the organization's purpose.
Peers: When I know I have friends at work, I trust they are looking out for me and my best interests, as I will look out for them. I'll not allow them to put themselves at risk, and they would not allow me to either. I'll go above and beyond for people I care for, respect and trust.
Position Above: People pay attention to what their boss pays attention to. If I think mine also cares about me and doesn't ask me to compromise my values or company values around safety, I'll trust their intentions and requests, especially when they are transparent and candid with me; I'll also want them to look good.
Purpose: All companies serve a purpose to those purchasing products or services. When I can connect to the value provided to others and see how it makes lives better, I'm more likely to go the extra mile and put forth extra energy to help the company succeed.
How well are you curating and protecting these important relationships within your company culture?
"I think for any relationship to be successful, there needs to be loving communication, appreciation, and understanding." - Miranda Kerr
"When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute." - Simon Sinek
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.
