If Leaders Don't Lead Followers Won't Follow
Shawn M. Galloway
CEO of ProAct Safety, Inc., Trusted Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker & Expert Witness
Hired to evaluate a plant’s culture, strategy, and system effectiveness, I spoke openly and honestly with the leadership team. I deeply appreciate the team's commendable effort and the direction they have set, which is clearly reflected in the data. However, there are some areas that require our collective attention. Employee engagement remained stagnant, the culture was not showing significant improvement, and there were issues with employees adhering to safety rules. The management is eager to understand the underlying reasons for these challenges.
On day one of my visit, immediately when entering the parking lot, the directions for how to park were visible and posted on every light post throughout the parking lot; reverse parking only. I noticed throughout my visit that roughly twenty percent of the vehicles complied each day. When giving my feedback to the leadership team regarding my findings and recommendations, I asked the leadership team if we were to all go out in the parking lot right now, please stand if you would find your vehicle reverse parked. Only one individual stood.
While the parking lot rule is not the sole influencer of the culture, it holds significant weight. It serves as a clear example of the leadership team's role in setting the tone. The leaders' adherence to the first rule upon entering the complex sets a precedent that others may follow. It's a simple case of 'if the leaders don't lead, the followers won't follow.' The leadership team's actions, or lack thereof, have a direct and powerful impact on the company's culture, making them the key drivers of change.
A company's culture can often be seen in the small details, like how employees park their cars. This simple act reflects the larger values and behaviors within the workplace. A strong culture promotes safety, engagement, and adherence to rules. However, when leaders fail to follow basic guidelines, it sends a message that those rules may not matter.
Leaders significantly influence the behavior of their teams. Adhering to rules sets a standard for everyone else. Leaders must first model those behaviors themselves if they want to encourage safety and responsibility.
The behavior of leaders is not just influential; it is pivotal in shaping company culture. From simple parking rules to overall employee engagement, the actions of leaders set the tone for the entire organization. The example of reverse parking vividly illustrates the urgency and importance of leaders leading by example. If a culture that values adherence to rules and ownership in safety is an objective, it begins with those in charge. It is crucial for leaders to recognize their role in influencing others and to act in ways that promote a strong and positive culture. To intentionally repeat to remember, if the leaders don’t lead, the followers won’t follow.
"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Every person has a legacy. You may not know what your impact is, and it may not be something that you can write on your tombstone, but every person has an impact on this world." — Dara Horn
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At ProAct Safety , we are dedicated to enhancing safety performance and fostering a culture of excellence within organizations. Our safety strategy and culture assessment service is designed to provide a holistic and detailed understanding of your current safety practices and culture and outline specific strategic and tactical recommendations, enabling you to develop a focused strategic plan to elevate safety performance and achieve Safety Culture Excellence?.
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.