Leadership

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    Leadership: The right balance of actions and words

    Leadership, we are often told, is about actions and not words. In the world of occupational health and safety, effective leadership must bring together the right balance of actions and words to help workers understand both the how and why of workplace safety.

    By Mike Robinson FCA on 09 July 2025

    Panel At SHW Live MED

    “One ill-judged behaviour can decimate a culture”: leaders debate leadership at SHW Live

    “Your behaviour [as a leader] and your words [are so important in creating] a safe space. People underestimate how much [those below you] are looking and watching you [as a role model],” Jonathon Gawthrop, Chair of the MIND charity Mental Health at Work Council said at SHW Live’s leadership panel. “One [ill-judged] behaviour can decimate a culture.”

    By Belinda Liversedge on 20 June 2025

    Man Looking Pensive iStock kupicoo

    Are you a leader or manager? Are organisations missing the mark on health, safety and wellbeing?

    Although leaders may have a clear idea about how to achieve an excellent health, safety and wellbeing culture, unless they properly communicate this vision to everyone, managers can struggle to understand how to align their teams and day-to-day work with the expected goals, causing health, safety and wellbeing to suffer.

    By Kanthi Ford, Tribe Culture Change on 04 December 2024

    Happy Workers in Hard Hats iStock mnbb

    Visible Felt Safety Leadership: because we are stronger together

    To achieve safety excellence, leaders must create an environment where all workers feel the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others is genuinely valued – and there are some simple and low-cost ways of achieving this.

    By Dee Arp, NEBOSH on 02 December 2024

    Three Female Executives iStock ShapeCharge

    Pursuing workplace wellbeing through authentic leadership

    By being open, honest and vulnerable in their interactions at work – and genuinely seeking and valuing the input of employees – leaders can develop a workplace atmosphere where trust and respect flourish, in turn supporting the wellbeing, engagement and performance of their teams.

    By Dr Audrey Fleming, British Safety Council on 26 April 2024

    Construction site bad manager

    1 in 2 workers plan to quit their job because of their manager

    Poor management could be behind the UK’s productivity problem, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has said after it found that half of employees who do not ‘rate’ their manager plan to quit their jobs.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 21 November 2023

    Micro Manager Istock 903282066 Antonioguillem MED

    More control over tasks lowers risk of heart disease in workers, finds study

    Employees with bosses who micromanage them are at greater risk of heart attack than those given more flexibility and control over tasks, a new study has found.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 09 November 2023

    Jacqueline O'donovan

    Jacqueline O’Donovan: leading the way in waste and recycling

    Made an OBE this year in recognition for her services to Recycling, Safety and Industry, Jacqueline O’Donovan has been managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal Ltd since the age of 19. Safety Management meets her to learn the secrets of her success.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 20 October 2023

    Image Sowshe A Mentorship Small

    Mentorship programme to help women ‘break down barriers’ into health and safety careers

    The women's safety group, SOWSHEA, has initiated a new career development programme to equip African young women with safety and leadership skills with the support of British Safety Council.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 03 September 2023

    Authentic Leadership 1

    Keeping it real

    What is authentic leadership and what can authentic leaders do for teams and workplace culture?

    By Belinda Liversedge on 06 September 2022