Gaining Influence Through Relationships for OSH Pros

I am a hug fan of McKinsey & Co for a few reasons. The primary reason is because of the investment (about $700M annually) they make in researching to develop viable solutions and the sharing of those resources. One of the key takeaways recently, was treating the hard stuff like the soft stuff. Or in other words, valuing the soft skills as highly as the technical (hard) skills. The hard part is that the technical skills likely got you in the door. But as you scale the ranks of leadership, the technical skills start to mean less in the grand scheme. I know, I know, if you don’t have the technical skill, you won’t be successful. That’s (kind of) true, but If you can’t influence the value of the technical skill, then success becomes hard too.

As an occupational safety and health (OSH) manager, you know that ensuring workplace safety is vital to the success of any business. However, to truly make a difference, you need the support of senior leadership. Building strong relationships with leaders in your organization can help you gain the resources and authority needed to create a culture of safety. In this article, we'll discuss the importance of building relationships with senior leadership and offer some tips on the soft skills you need to succeed.

Why is building relationships with senior leadership so important?

In any organization, the senior leadership team has a significant impact on the culture and priorities of the workplace. If you can get the support of these leaders, you'll be in a much better position to make a difference. Here are some specific reasons why building relationships with senior leadership is so important for OSH managers:

1. Resources: Senior leadership has the authority to allocate resources, such as budget and personnel, to support safety initiatives. If you can build a relationship with these leaders, you'll be in a better position to secure the resources you need to make a real impact.
2. Influence: When senior leadership takes safety seriously, it sends a clear message to the rest of the organization that safety is a priority. This can lead to better compliance and a stronger safety culture overall.
3. Expertise: Senior leaders may have insights into the business that can help you develop more effective safety strategies. Building a relationship with these leaders can give you access to this expertise.

Tips on building relationships with senior leadership

Now that you understand the importance of building relationships with senior leadership, let's discuss some tips on how to do it effectively. Here are some soft skills you'll need to succeed:

1. Communication: Effective communication is essential for building any relationship, including those with senior leadership. You'll need to be able to explain complex safety concepts in a way that's easy for non-experts to understand. Be sure to listen actively and ask questions to ensure you understand their perspective.
2. Empathy: It's important to remember that senior leadership has many priorities competing for their attention. Show empathy for their perspective and priorities and try to frame safety initiatives in a way that aligns with their goals.
3. Persistence: Building relationships takes time and effort. Be persistent in your efforts to connect with senior leadership, but also be patient. Don't be discouraged if progress seems slow at first.
4. Strategic thinking: As an OSH manager, you'll need to develop a strategic plan for safety initiatives that aligns with the goals of the organization. Use your knowledge of the business to identify areas where safety improvements can have the greatest impact and present these ideas to senior leadership.

Measuring success

Finally, it's important to measure the success of your efforts to build relationships with senior leadership. Here are some metrics to consider:

1. Resource allocation: Have you been successful in securing the resources you need to implement safety initiatives?
2. Compliance: Are employees complying with safety protocols, and are behaviors reflective of a strong culture?
3. Feedback: Are senior leaders receptive to your ideas and suggestions, and do they show an interest in safety initiatives?
4. Culture: Is safety becoming a part of the organization's culture, and are employees at all levels taking ownership of safety initiatives?

Building relationships with senior leadership takes time and effort, but it's essential if you want to make a real difference in workplace safety. By focusing on effective communication, empathy, persistence, and strategic thinking, you can build strong relationships with senior leaders that can help you create a culture of safety in your organization.

Subena Colligan, CIH, CSP is an Industrial Hygiene Consultant and Executive Coach for EHS professionals. Her passion is for people to live their lives fully and experience the benefits of sustainable, effective, and efficient EHS leadership.

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