The benefits of positive leadership and an effective worker engagement programme Martin Worthington SHEQ Director

Introduction Leadership and shaping behaviours Improving soft skills to increase awareness Dealing with perceptions Motivating Barriers to safe working Influencing and achieving change

Leadership and shaping behaviours

Leadership and the SIX C’s Cast a shadow Committed Clear Strategy Consultation Co-operation Coaching skills

Shaping behaviours of an individual Adequately trained Engaged with people Respect for each other (welfare…) Look out for each other Provide feedback Challenge unsafe practices Stop work if not comfortable Don’t be compromised A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT CREATES SAFE BEHAVIOURS

Improving soft skills to increase awareness

Soft Skills and V.O.I.C.E Engage operatives in identification of unsafe situations and conditions to agree improvements Increase awareness of safe working practices Achieve a shared perspective of site conditions Identify any gaps in existing arrangements Reduce incidents and accidents Improve communication and trust and reduce gossip. Through LIFETALKS Secure ‘frontline’ involvement Encourage personal responsibility for safe working Integrate safe working into the daily routine Provide positive recognition for safe working The VOICE Scheme has been developed by Morgan Sindall as part of our commitment to worker engagement and LIFE.

Examples of V.O.I.C.E Supporting Information

Other useful tools

Dealing with perceptions

Dealing with perceptions We reap what we sow…………………..

Dealing with perception SHECONOMICS Applying SHECONOMICS and increasing our investment for better returns Listen to what people have to say by asking and listening Develop a transformational rather than transactional approach Provide effective inductions through interaction Focussed expectation exchanges Increase effectiveness of risk assessments through consultation Decide what feedback tools can be used such as climate surveys Further improve our ability to learn, Pass It On…………….. Remember that perceptions are real

Motivating

Motivation Improve competency levels Nurture the ability to influence Build a team spirit Share the load Build trust Recognise and reward Engage with people Encourage feedback and act on it It’s about more than just knowledge

Barrier to safe working

Barriers to safe working Unrealistic demands and timescales Asking people to work outside their skill sets Lack of, or poor communication Lack of commitment, at any level Not understanding the principles Not sticking with it Inadequate understanding of consequences Over reliance on the H&S team Tolerating under-performance Poor planning and “fixing” too late Not applying learning

Influencing and achieving change

The 10 Pillars 1. Lead by example 2. Don’t Ignore unsafe situations 3. If in doubt STOP ! 4. Unsafe working environment drives unsafe behaviour 5. Account for all the causes before making any decisions 6. Use your workforce for ideas and improving 7. Change does not usually occur overnight – stick with it 8. Knowledge is not enough 9. Encourage co-operation 10. Don’t neglect occupational health Source LWE

The UK Leadership and Worker Engagement forum

Five things to take away 1. Before you start, understand what engagement is It’s not an initiative 2. Be absolutely certain that there is commitment by all those involved 3. Engagement is about listening and learning not instructing 4. Do not be procedural in your approach and arrangements 5. Be prepared for a few knocks along the way - but don’t give up “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” Helen Keller

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