by Doug Gray | Jan 9, 2014 | Business
What Site Managers Want from Safety Leaders, 5 Tips for Improving Competence and Solutions, by Doug Gray, Professional Safety, May 2013. May2013p1 WhatSite ManagersWant May2013p2 SiteManagersWant
This article was written at the request of the editors of Professional Safety, the professional journal for The American Society of Safety Engineers.
However, it is applicable to any manager. In any business.
I invite you to share it as you see fit.
by Doug Gray | Jan 8, 2014 | Business
How to Coach Safety Coaches; 7 Proven Tips, by Doug Gray, published in Professional Safety, Feb 2013. Coach safety coaches Feb 2013 p.1.rtfd Coach safety coaches Feb 2013 p.2.rtfd
This article was written at the request of the editors of Professional Safety, the Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
However, this article is applicable to coaching managers in any business.
I encourage you to forward it as you see fit.
by Doug Gray | Jan 7, 2014 | Business, change, Coaching, Leadership, Managers, safety, strengths, Success, talent
My definition: Safety Leadership Coaching is an emerging field of professional development for yourself and others.
TIP: Scan the words in bold. Then apply them to your world. Then call me to discuss.
The phrase “emerging field” recognizes the fact that the safety business is new, since OSHA gained influence in 1970. Prior to that time, workers were measured by hands, feet or hours of productivity. The early “safety professionals” were compliance-driven people tasked with issuing fines, citations, tickets, and quotas. At some companies, “Safety Infraction Report” mandate was required by 4:00 each afternoon; and if you received 3 SIRs then it was time to find another job. Many safety employees were former police or military. The “Safety Cop” compliance requirements remain a powerful legacy today.
In the 1990s the safety industry, like most industries, was affected by global trends including humanism and diversity. Individual choice was recognized more than ever. Leadership and organizational development programs emerged as professional schools of research. In the workforce, safety leaders supported individual choice, good judgement, and reinforced desired behaviors. “Safety coaching” emerged as the dominant methodology to observe and recommend desired behaviors. The Certified Safety Professional Program, endorsed by BCSP, gained impact as a minimal standard for hiring and program implementation. Safety leadership coaching emerged as a field of professional development.
The phrase “professional development for yourself” recognizes the fact that all change starts at an individual level. As a species, humans change in response to external influences that promote our survival. If we need to learn a new skill, or relocate to the next job site, we do so. In the U.S. most people now have 5 careers on average. However, too many safety leaders only have one career. Too many people resist change. Safety leaders can embrace coaching and training; or they can ignore it. They can embrace career changes; or they can ignore them. Too many safety leaders ignore career development opportunities. Safety leadership coaching encourages people to explore choices and develop their strengths.
The phrase “professional development for others” reinforces the job description that safety leaders typically “observe and recommend” desired behaviors. They typically have broad access to all aspects of a job site or company. Consequently they have vast potential impact on all aspects such as quality, operations, sales, business development, etc. However, safety leaders do not embrace their potential impact. Too often they “stick to their own business” and “keep their heads down.” That limits their impact as leaders. Safety leadership coaching leverages the vast access and potential impact of safety leaders. Safety leadership coaching helps leaders obtain desired results.
There is an old story about the student who seeks a teacher. He travels to many lands and reads a lot, stares at a mirror, and generates lists. He is lonely, alone. One day he realizes that he learns best when he is in relationship with others.
So it is with safety coaching. Humans learn best when we are in relationship with others.
Here are some simple coaching questions:
1. Who is the wisest leader you know?
2. How can you develop better relationships with others?
3. What are you afraid of in your career?
4. Who needs you to coach them?
Send me your answers, or comment below.
BIO: Doug Gray, PCC, has coached 50+ safety leaders and learned from their expertise. He knows nothing about fall protection standards. www.action-learning.com or 704.895.7479
by Doug Gray | Jan 7, 2014 | Business
The Value of Being a Safety Coach, Most of the Time, Doug Gray, published in Professional Safety, August, 2013. ASSE0813.ValueSafetyCoaching
This article was written at the request of the editors, and with many contributors. Feel free to copy and share as you see fit!
by Doug Gray | Oct 31, 2013 | Business, change, digital
Let’s start with some facts. Then trends. Then implementable solutions.
Facts:
- Apple introduced the iPad in 2010 as a revolutionary device
- By 2016 an estimated 650 million tablets will have been sold globally. Pretty revolutionary, huh?
- In a 2012 poll by CDW, tablet users averaged 2.1 hours per day and gained 1.1 hours of productivity
- In that poll, 84% of employees said that the tablet made them better multi-taskers
- There are over 1 million apps available for download
- There are more mobile devices in the world than there are toilets. (What does that fact say about our needs for hygiene and connection?)
Trends:
- Most digital natives (born after 1980) sleep with their phones
- There are more tablets and mobile devices than desktop devices, used globally
- Most information workers view 2-3 screens concurrently. An example in marketing: the television screen, the laptop screen, and the mobile third device. An example in finance: two laptop screens and the mobile third device.
- App usage is growing faster than web portal use, as workers apply technology to customers and clients in new ways
- Employers tolerate a BYOD approach (bring your own device) despite concerns about security, branding, and productivity
Solutions for your business include:
- Blended use of technology/virtual learning and direct/synchronous training. Virtual training is less expensive, but not adopted. Blended use of technology and direct training can increase engagement, productivity, and retention. See one example here. I use blended learning solutions for most action learning programs. Imagine a team of 4-7 people in different locations who need to collaborate. They typically do not even know one another. Action Learning programs require that they assess the problem/case study/ client need, then share resources, then ask questions to develop solutions, then apply those solutions to save money or make money. Recently, I have developed mobile apps that supplement business development workshops between siloed divisions. Monthly workshops, combined with direct and virtual meetings, and action learning apps force people to work together.
- Smart adoption of technology will increase mobility and security. Examples include Dropbox, a cloud storage service that syncs data can be accessed from any devices. You no longer need a secure VPN (virtual private network) access or dial in to a server. Your security is guaranteed. Consequently, when I travel to a client’s location I use Dropbox to access all of my digital content and provide tremendous value to any client, in their office, in the moment. Client delight is a reality, not a goal.
- Collaboration tools will enable multiple workers and stakeholders to develop solutions. One example is GoToMeeting, a web meeting tool with audio and video conferencing. You can access from any device, using a code. Then you can see who is talking, share screens for collaborative work, record meetings for future reference. I use this tool when reviewing documents or developing presentation materials with clients in multiple locations. And I use GoToMeeting for team coaching and action learning programs.
Most importantly, how are you using tablets and apps to increase your business?
If you need ideas, contact us now. If you have a great example, contact us now. If you want to work together, contact us now.
by Doug Gray | Sep 25, 2013 | Business, change, Coaching, digital, Financial Professionals, Leadership, Managers, money, Personal Development, Sales, strengths, Success, talent
FYI in 2007 I submitted the following articles to Horsesmouth.com, a digital library designed to accelerate business development for financial advisors.
You can apply any of these articles to your business or service.
1. 10 Tips for Distinctive Client Service Distinctive client service separates you from everyone else who talks about professionalism but doesn’t deliver on it. Take action with these 10 tips from a recognized, distinctive financial professional.
2. 4 Principles of Selling in the Trust Business Selling defines success. Nothing else is more important in your business. So what is this notion of the trust business?
3. How to Act With Courage Excellence springs from courage, but not everyone chooses to be brave. These advisors share how and why they acted with courage, and how it benefited their business. Consider their insights into the nature of courage, and start using it to build your business, too.
4. 5 Keys to Solid Cold-Calling Performance If your prospecting strategy requires you to consistently make outbound calls, you must pay attention to these five vital elements of a strong cold-calling practice.
5. Customer Delight: 8 Tips for Creating It This top producer creates more than customer satisfaction. He creates customer delight. You can too, with these eight tips.
Call me at 704.895.6479 to discuss HOW you can apply these great ides to your business!
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