Safety Leadership and Influence with Justin Barksdale | Risk Matrix Episode 128
Risk Matrix #128: Safety Leadership and Influence with Justin Barksdale
Safety professionals are taught compliance and regulations. But the skills that make a safety professional truly effective are influence, connection, and professional presence.
In this episode Dr. Martin and James sit down with Justin Barksdale, CSP, CEO and Founder of Barksdale Safety Solutions and Barksdale Leadership Solutions, to discuss his new ebook “The Safety Pro’s Edge.” Justin challenges conventional thinking about safety’s role in business, shares practical strategies for building influence, and explains why safety professionals need to be learn-it-alls, not know-it-alls.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Safety is a core value, not a priority. Priorities change, but core values remain constant. Safety professionals must understand their role in supporting business profitability while protecting the greatest asset: people.
- Be a learn-it-all, not a know-it-all. Get your boots dirty, work alongside your team, and ask questions. Trust and credibility come from being willing to do the work and learn from frontline workers.
- Everyone communicates, few connect. Safety is more about social skills, sociology, and psychology than regulations. Influence comes from connection, not just communication.
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