Colin Duncan

The lone genius is a nice idea, but it isn’t real life. In real life, great visionaries are supported by a wide variety of people who help shape the ideas, build the processes, generate demand and deliver the outcomes.

As safety leaders, we focus on helping our organizations become and stay safe. We strive to understand the exposures employees face and find ways of systematically reducing them. We pride ourselves on building cultures that won’t tolerate risk, and developing leaders who carry that mission forward every day.

As another year begins, safety leaders have much to be proud of. Across industry, organizations are enjoying record-low injury rates, a place for safety on the agenda and greater safety literacy across more employees than ever before.

From recycling and renewable energy to community investment and ethical sourcing, sustainability efforts have become a significant part of many company strategies.

It’s no longer a secret that safety has a lot to offer organizations. We also know that safety needs to have “a seat at the table” everywhere strategy is set, including the boardroom. But aside from a handful of progressive organizations, that “seat” isn’t there. Why not?

The beginning of every New Year is a time for looking ahead. We consider what we want to accomplish and what we will do differently, both personally and professionally. As safety leaders, that activity takes on a special significance: Our “resolutions” help determine the quality of systems that protect people’s lives and livelihoods.