From COP to COACH

Do you treat something differently if you own it? At a 2005 safety conference, Terry Mathis asked the audience, "How many of you have washed a rental car?" No responses. He followed with, "Why not?" The apparent reactions were, "It's not mine." What if you are punished for not doing so? Would you take it to be detailed, or do the minimum amount necessary? What do you want, a culture of have-to or a culture of want-to? How leaders lead matters.

To achieve excellence in any operational area, leaders must move from being a COP to a COACH, from punishing to collaborative problem-solving. Suppose the workforce perceives leaders are intentionally behaving to Catch Opportunities to Punish (COP). In that case, we encourage leaders to look for ways to Create Ownership and Change Happens (COACH)SM.

Shameless plug for my 2023 book, COACH: A Safety Leadership Fable

Coaching is a leadership style focused on helping people perform to the best of their ability, every time, everywhere. Regular, consistent, and sustained engagement is needed for this outcome to be a reality. Engagement is buy-in, participation, and ownership. The principles of ownership are possession, stewardship, and control. Consider your safety performance, safety management systems, safety programs, policies, procedures, and safety culture. How much ownership exists within the many levels in your company? What can others possess, steward and control? While punishment is a tool, one of last resort, I've never seen a company punished into excellence. Excellence comes from creating ownership and, with this, change happens.

Creating a culture of ownership requires a shift in mindset for both leaders and employees. It’s essential to foster an environment where individuals feel empowered to take initiative and responsibility for their roles. This involves clear communication, support, and recognition of efforts toward improvement. Leaders should model the behaviors they wish to see, demonstrating accountability and a commitment to safety and overall excellence.

One effective method to encourage ownership is through inclusive decision-making. When employees are involved in developing safety protocols and policies, they are more likely to take ownership of their implementation. This collaborative approach not only enhances buy-in but also taps into the diverse perspectives and insights of the workforce, ultimately leading to more effective solutions.

Training and development play a critical role in this transformation. Providing employees with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed fosters confidence and competence. Regular training sessions that emphasize safety practices and the importance of each individual’s contribution can reinforce the culture of ownership. Additionally, recognizing and celebrating successes, no matter how small, can inspire others to take similar ownership in their roles.

Feedback mechanisms are also vital in maintaining a culture of ownership. Creating safe spaces for employees to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions encourages open communication. Leaders should actively seek feedback and demonstrate that it is valued by taking action based on the input received. This not only strengthens trust but also reinforces the idea that everyone has a stake in the company’s success.

The journey from a culture of have-to to a culture of want-to requires intentional effort from leaders to create an environment where ownership is valued and nurtured. By fostering collaboration, investing in training, recognizing contributions, and maintaining open lines of communication, organizations can achieve a higher level of excellence and safety. Change will not happen overnight, but with consistent dedication to these principles, a culture of ownership can thrive, leading to remarkable improvements in overall performance.

"When everyone owns a piece of safety, change happens." — Terry L. Mathis

"When a team takes ownership of its problems, the problem gets solved. It is true on the battlefield, it is true in business, and it is true in life." — Jocko Willink

"People support what they help to create." — W. Edwards Deming

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Some companies teach their supervisors to be safety coaches. Excellence-focused organizations enable this skill for all their people-leaders and influencers. Coaching is critical to organizational performance and the most effective way to inspire your team. Coaching aims to help leaders and employees perform at their best — every time, everywhere. Everyone can be a coach, from an executive to influential peers. Coaching is the leadership style focused on getting the best out of people. Contact us to discuss customizing a Leadership Safety Coaching Workshop for your organization and your people leaders.

Shawn M. Galloway is the CEO of the global consultancy ProAct Safety. With over twenty years of experience in safety systems, strategy, culture, leadership, and employee engagement, he is a trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. He is the author of several bestselling books and has multiple regular columns in leading magazines, with over 400 articles and 100 videos to his credit. He also created the first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence, with over 800 episodes.

As a leading and globally recognized expert on safety excellence, he has helped hundreds of organizations within every primary industry achieve and sustain excellence in performance and culture.

He has been interviewed and a guest on Fox News, Dubai One, Sirius Business Radio, U.S. News & World Report, Wharton Business Daily, EHS Network Radio, Safety and Health Magazine, EHS Today Magazine, ISHN Magazine, Safety Decisions Magazine, EHS Daily Advisor, Faces of EHS, and almost every safety-related podcast.

Shawn's passion, dedication, and significant contributions to the safety field have been widely recognized. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including Global Safety Excellence Expert, Power 101 Leaders of the EHS World, Top 50 People Who Most Influenced EHS, Top 40 Rising Stars, and Top 11 Health and Safety Influencers. His influence is felt globally, and his status as an esteemed Avetta Distinguished Fellow and Advisor to Harvard Business Review further underscores his expertise and makes his perspectives highly sought after.