700 Introduction to Safety Management

Commitment vs. Support

However, the real test for commitment is the degree to which management acts on its support with serious investments in time and money. When management communicates their interest in safety, but does not follow through with action, that's just support, not true commitment.

Leaders Get What They Give!

Real commitment is an expression of tough-caring leadership by example. Integrity, character, and self-discipline are values that all managers seek in their employees.

Employees will show these important attributes when (and only when) they see management exhibiting these values first. Exceptional leaders genuinely care for those they lead. There's no better way to showcase leadership than by ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.

Here's some food for thought: If you're a manager or supervisor, ask yourself, "Do I really like my people?" If the answer isn't yes, start now to rethink your opinion because it's almost impossible to show caring leadership if you don't actually like your people.

"We choose to have zero injuries. We choose to have zero injuries not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, because we care for ourselves and others too."
S. Farnham, Safety Manager, Contrack, International.

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