Checklist Checkout

Health and Safety is so important for many reasons and none of them are accident reports, checklists, forms and procedures.

It is important because you play 5 a side football in the evenings.

It is essential because you want to play with your kids or pick up your grandchildren.

You want to go to the cinema and be able to sit through a film without being in pain.

Health and safety is important because your life is important.

There is not a form or a box you tick that can help you with this - signing up for a webinar means nothing if you are only doing it to be seen doing it...

Health and Safety? Here is the kicker - It should always be about safety!

Controversial - I know.

I have been a safety professional for around 30 years now (yikes!) I love the job and the challenges it can bring. In many cases, the biggest challenge is ensuring that engagement with the safety profession is worthwhile and positive.

I feel it is down to us to change the sometimes negative perception people have of what we are trying to achieve. I love working in safety but I rarely quote regulations. Anyone who has known me in my safety roles will testify that I try to ensure that I am practical and operational. Things may need to be done and changed but it is a collaborative process with a positive impact.

It was this attitude towards safety that led me into coaching. I feel I have been coaching and mentoring people in a way all my career. I want people to open and up and tell me what is happening in their business - what safety issues keep them awake at night, why they have not reviewed their safety paperwork for years? Only by gaining their trust and having a frank conversation can we begin to tackle any issues. Wagging a finger in someone's face will mean shutdown and then nothing is achieved.

The same can be said of dealing with coaching clients. I want to gain their trust and encourage them to talk to me about what they feel is holding them back in life. Only by unpacking this baggage, can you create some space to explore your options and create your new reality.

It can be so exciting - just like Health and Safety!