GTKYP: Not Just Jason, the Employee
Shawn M. Galloway
CEO of ProAct Safety, Inc., Trusted Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker & Expert Witness
"I’m not just Jason, the employee; I’m Jason, the individual. If you truly care about me, please support me in ways that extend beyond merely helping me hit my targets."
This poignant statement struck me during a breakout session in a recent workshop I led. The participants were engaged in a rich discussion about the critical role of leadership in coaching. They highlighted how effective leaders can influence performance by genuinely getting to know their team members and understanding their unique skills and capabilities. Jason, a manager from the client company, shared a personal story about a transformative leader who had profoundly impacted his life. This leader didn’t just focus on Jason's output as an employee; they invested time and effort in helping him grow as a person, which in turn positively influenced Jason’s performance in his role.
The essence of a coach's responsibility is to empower individuals, teams, or employees to achieve their utmost potential consistently, no matter the circumstances. While various leadership styles may emerge based on situational needs, being an exceptional coach is not merely a style; it is an intrinsic quality that defines who a leader is at their core.
As a leader, take a moment to reflect: Do you know your people well? Are you aware of what drives them and what might hold them back? Who are the significant people in their lives outside of work? If this knowledge eludes you, it’s time to GTKYP—Get To Know Your People. Remember, at the heart of leadership lies the understanding that you are in the people business. If you are unwilling to embrace this fundamental truth, perhaps it would be wise to let someone else take the reins.
In today's workplace, fostering genuine connections and understanding the holistic needs of team members can transform a standard working environment into one where everyone feels valued and motivated. A leader's commitment to their team's personal and professional growth can lead to remarkable outcomes—not just for the individuals but for the organization as a whole. Embrace this responsibility, and you will not only enhance performance but also cultivate a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. It's never to late to GTKYP.
"The role of the CEO is to enable people to excel, help them discover their own wisdom, engage themselves entirely in their work, and accept responsibility for making change." — Vineet Nayar
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." — Simon Sine
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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, Sirius Business Radio, 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.