Safety Speaker Secrets of Safety Success Part One – Vision

I am writing this on the 56th anniversary of Gus Grissom’s sub-orbital flight. Alan Shepard had made the first flight May 5th of 1961 and between the two flights President John F. Kennedy announced to the world that we would land a man on the moon and return him safely by the end of the decade. For many of you, this is a historical event you have read about or watched in movies or television. For me, it was what I was thrilled to watch as a young boy. As a safety speaker I have stood at the site of both these launches as well as our launch to the moon. It gives you a unique perspective.

It was a massive undertaking. Over 400,000 Americans worked on the moon project and everyone else was cheering them on. What is significant is that when President Kennedy announced this goal we had no idea how to accomplish it. His vision would drive the inventions which would allow us to reach the moon. Vision was the key starting point of the success of the journey.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had the same vision and resolve to eliminate injuries in the workplace? The good news is you don’t have to wait for a national vision to eliminate injuries. You can make it happen at your site and be a shining example of safety success.

The Process of Success

First a vision. Someone, perhaps you and your leaders, must believe it is possible to eliminate injuries. As a safety speaker I have seen how critical this is many times. The how-to comes later. I have read so many examples where this vision is the key. In my example above, President Kennedy believed it was important to be the first to land on the moon for international political reasons. He had the vision and he made it a must. I learned from Anthony Robbins years ago how much making something a must is a requirement for success.

Disney had the vision of Disneyland and then Disney World. On July 23, 1955, my parents took me to Disneyland the first weekend it was open. I got to see the fulfillment of his vision. I remember watching the World of Disney years later when Walt Disney shared his vision for Walt Disney World in Florida. Sadly, Walt died before Disney World opened. An interesting truth was told by his brother when a broadcaster made the comment, “It’s too bad Walt didn’t get to see this.” Roy Disney wisely responded, “It’s because Walt saw it first that we all get to see it now.” (My paraphrase of his quote)

What Is Your Safety Vision?

What have you seen that no one else has dared to imagine? What vision of safety do you have for your site, your company and others? Remember to include profitability in your safety vision. After all, we are in business to make a living. Without profit your company wouldn’t exist. My experience as a safety speaker is the safety champions in industry are all very profitable.

Disney envisioned profits but differently as never before. I suspect the safest, most profitable companies will be doing safety differently than we have ever considered.

Disney’s bankers thought he was crazy when he said he was going to charge admission to his theme park. That had never been done before. The existing business model for amusement parks was you let people in for free and then charge for the rides. Disney’s vision was to make a park so amazing that people would pay just to enter.

Begin Your Safety Success With A Vision

Clarity is critical. Be very specific in your vision of safety. What are the most outlandish safety results you could imagine or hope for? Also, I explain in my book, “Mastering Safety Communication” your vision is most effective when it is sensory specific. What does it look like when your safety vision is achieved? What sounds do you hear? What does it feel like when you have achieved this? Also, what does it taste like? Does safety have a taste? Maybe it’s the taste of a safety celebration barbecue. If you can add what it smells like even better.

Next week I will discuss step two, Commitment.

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Until next week,
I’ll be, “Watching Out For Everyone’s Safety™”
John
© 2017 John Drebinger Presentations
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