Lead Safety by Example: How Much is a Good Example Worth?

Actions speak louder than words. There are many famous versions of this adage.‍

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Your action speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.”

‍Mark Twain put his twist on it when he said, “Actions speak louder than words but not nearly as often.”‍

Even the Bible shares this advice. 1 John 3:18 – “…let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”  ‍

There are numerous related quotes, and it’s not a tricky concept to grasp. We often don’t notice a good example, but we certainly see when someone’s words don’t align with their actions.  We know “Actions speak louder than words” because we see no shortage of the opposite concept in the workplace: Do as I say, not as I do.‍

How times have you seen a supervisor go into the field with a brand-new hard hat and safety glasses but wearing the wrong shoes?‍

How many managers, doing an observation, just sign off on the safety briefing sheet without reading it?‍

How many foremen turn a blind eye when a shortcut or workaround is executed because, well, production?‍

Leading by example is the best way to build trust with your team and get the behaviors you want. Walk the talk yourself, and others are more likely to follow. Here are a few tips for leading safety by example.‍

Know what’s expected: 

Before you go into the field, learn what the job hazards are and what we need to do to mitigate them. You don’t have to be the most proficient technician, but you need to know the safety rules governing the work. The best time to learn all this is to attend the pre-job brief, which should be covered in detail. If you must wait until after the job has started to swoop in for a “drive-by observation,” ensure you take plenty of time to read and understand the work plan before you just “sign on.”