Talking Safety Cutting Through the Clutter

摘要

Many company leaders and managers wonder, "Are we talking about safety too much?" How much "safety talk" is too much? Before answering this question, it is important to realize that many employees and managers are overloaded with communications: a constant barrage of e-mails, text messages, cell phone calls, requests from supervisors, demands from customers, and the list goes on. Whenever leaders communicate with employees, they are competing with many other messages from multiple sources. That's why talking about safety effectively is more important than ever. After all, the safety message is vying for employees' attention regarding something that may save their lives. When it comes to safety, effective communication often has positive and negative aspects. Most leaders find it comfortable and easy to deliver good news, such as celebratory remarks about a group achieving a milestone. Yet many find it difficult to discuss the details of an incident that resulted in injury or death.