Five Very Important Leadership Questions
It's critical to understand that before administering progressive discipline supervisors should first evaluate (make a judgment about) how well they have fulfilled their own accountabilities.
"STARS" Leadership.
Such self-assessment is vital to ensure that supervisors are displaying effective leadership and are truly justified in implementing any corrective actions.
Assessing the justification for discipline does not have to be difficult. It can be a simple straightforward process. All that's required is that supervisors honestly answer "yes" to the following five "STARS" leadership questions:
- Supervision: Have I consistently provided adequate safety oversight, actively monitoring work to identify and address unsafe behaviors and hazardous conditions before they lead to injuries?
- Training: Have I provided (or has the employee received) quality safety training? The employee has the required knowledge and skills to comply. The employee understands the natural and system consequences of noncompliance.
- Accountability: Have I applied safety accountability fairly and consistently in the past? The employee knows he or she will be disciplined if caught.
- Resources: Have I supplied all the necessary tools, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), fall protection, and other resources required for safely performing the job, and are these resources maintained in good working order?
- Support: Have I provided sufficient psychosocial support that encourages and fosters a safe working environment?
If supervisors can honestly answer "yes" to each of the above questions, they are demonstrating effective leadership. In such cases, administering discipline may be justified, acknowledging that they have met their obligations. However, other safety management system weaknesses such as inadequate safety training may exist that make discipline unjustified. Conversely, if supervisors are unable to confidently answer 'yes' to each question, it would be more fitting to offer an apology to employees and pledge to fulfill these obligations moving forward.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-9. What is a question supervisors should ask when considering discipline?
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