We all know that safety is serious business. We’re here to protect people, environment, assets, and reputation (PEARs!). Speaking with HSE professionals, I know you’re overworked and sometimes (most times?) stressed. It’s like we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.
Despite the burden of leading safety (or, more accurately, enabling others to lead safety), we can’t take ourselves too seriously. Look at Ted Lasso when he does ‘the running man’ dance. It’s puzzling at best, likely awkward and definitely a bit creepy. For the team, however, it’s a bonding moment. Something that forms the team’s climate and culture.
How can we ‘lighten things up?’ I asked my longtime friend (since 1988!!), Mark Johnson who leads an HR function at Ineos Olefins & Polymers what he recommends.
According to Mark, it takes two seemingly opposing attributes: “1) enough self-confidence that being a bit silly will not lower people’s perceptions of you; 2) humble enough to forsake a serious façade to entertain those around you.”
These attributes work best when you “connect it to the event you are at. If you are judging something, wear a judge’s robe and have a gavel. Having a team building potato bar for lunch, wear a Mr. Potato Head costume!” Amazon sells safety cone costumes.
When facilitating meetings, Mark has a rule, “if you came late, you have to sing.” He was known to belt out the song “I am a cute little birdie in a gilded cage” at least once.
Mark cautions to link silliness to a theme. “Non-themed silliness has a far greater probability to fall on its face.”
If you notice, Ted never makes fun of others. Only himself. It’s a good rule. Self-deprecating humor works across most cultures. I once took my team to an improv workshop. Their first lesson is all about building others up. Tearing people down is not acceptable.
You don’t have to do ‘the running man’ dance like Ted. You don’t even have to sing. But try dressing up in costume, use a funny hat, take a stab at some self-deprecating humor. Lighten up. It will make you more effective in your role.
If you are interested in developing your safety team, consider running the Safety Professional’s Academy. Contact me to have a conversation.
If you have safety professionals who require coaching, please give me a call!
SafetyAnd Consulting Associates, Inc.
National Safety Council
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#leadership
#changeleadership
