Why is it that those supervisors whose safety records are the best also usually perform better across the board? It turns out that good supervisors create a "safety side effect" where employees are more likely to talk with each other about safety and more likely to stop others and be stopped for acting unsafely. This presentation summarizes the findings of a large-scale, international study of supervisory practices, which indicates the specific practices that produce the "safety side effect."

1. The Safety Side Effect
How supervisors coincidentally improve safety

2. The Safety Side Effect
Experience shows us
that leaders play a special
role in the safe/unsafe
performance of others.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

3. The Safety Side Effect
Research also shows us
that leaders play a special
role in the safe/unsafe
performance of others.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

4. The Safety Side Effect
Research
STUDY of OBEDIENCE (Milgram)
Authority figures are profoundly but subtly influential.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

5. The Safety Side Effect
Research
STUDY of SAFETY CLIMATE (Zohar)
A moderate increase in the frequency of
simple, safety-related conversations
dramatically reduces subordinates’ unsafe
behaviors.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

6. The Safety Side Effect
Research
STUDY of SITUATIONAL VARIABLES in HELPING BEHAVIOR (Darley)
A single remark from an authority figure can
literally change the way others see the
world.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

7. The Safety Side Effect
Research
BEST BOSS STUDY:
For 25 years, we have asked thousands to...
“Describe the boss who you were most motivated,
productive, efficient and effective working for.”
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

8. The Safety Side Effect
Describe the best boss you ever had.
What did he/she do?
What were his/her characteristics?
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9. The Safety Side Effect
Research
BEST BOSS STUDY:
Trends emerged, identifying 20 top
characteristics of this “best boss”.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

10. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
20. Cares About the Success of Others

11. The Safety Side Effect
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Best Boss Characteristics
20. Cares About the Success of Others
19. Shows Respect to Others

12. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
20. Cares About the Success of Others
19. Shows Respect to Others
18. Honest & Trustworthy

13. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
20. Cares About the Success of Others
19. Shows Respect to Others
18. Honest & Trustworthy
17. Shows Trust by Delegating Effectively
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

14. The Safety Side Effect
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Best Boss Characteristics
16. Fair & Consistent

15. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
16. Fair & Consistent
15. Competent & Knowledgeable

16. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
16. Fair & Consistent
15. Competent & Knowledgeable
14. Rewards / Recognizes Success

17. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
16. Fair & Consistent
15. Competent & Knowledgeable
14. Rewards / Recognizes Success
13. Leads by Example
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

18. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
12. Friendly

19. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
12. Friendly
11. Loyal to Employees

20. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
12. Friendly
11. Loyal to Employees
10. Flexible & Willing to Change When Needed

21. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
12. Friendly
11. Loyal to Employees
10. Flexible & Willing to Change When Needed
9. Team Builder
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

22. The Safety Side Effect
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Best Boss Characteristics
8. Good Problem Solver

23. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
8. Good Problem Solver
7. Good Planner / Organizer

24. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
8. Good Problem Solver
7. Good Planner / Organizer
6. Good Decision Maker

25. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
8. Good Problem Solver
7. Good Planner / Organizer
6. Good Decision Maker
5. Deals Effectively with Conflict
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

26. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively

27. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively
3. Enables Success

28. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively
3. Enables Success
2. Motivates Others

29. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively
3. Enables Success
2. Motivates Others
1. Holds Self & Others Accountable
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

30. The Safety Side Effect
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Review the list of 20 characteristics.
Which two do you exhibit well as a leader?
Which two do you need to improve?

31. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively
3. Enables Success
2. Motivates Others
1. Holds Self & Others Accountable
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

32. The Safety Side Effect
‣ Understands the Limits of Extrinsic Motivators
‣ Owns the Challenge of Intrinsic Motivation
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
#2 Motivates Others

33. The Safety Side Effect
Intrinsic
Motivation
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
#2 Motivates Others

34. The Safety Side Effect
Willingness to
risk failure for
the chance to
succeed
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Intrinsic
Motivation
#2 Motivates Others

35. The Safety Side Effect
Willingness to
risk failure for
the chance to
succeed
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Intrinsic
Motivation
#2 Motivates Others
Self-Confidence

36. The Safety Side Effect
Willingness to
risk failure for
the chance to
succeed
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
Intrinsic
Motivation
#2 Motivates Others
Self-Confidence
Meaningful
Accomplishment
+
Recognition from a
Significant Person

37. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively
3. Enables Success
2. Motivates Others
1. Holds Self & Others Accountable
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

38. The Safety Side Effect
Best Boss Characteristics
4. Communicates Effectively
3. Enables Success
2. Motivates Others
1. Holds Self & Others Accountable
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

39. The Safety Side Effect
At its core, accountability is a kind of conversation.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
#1 Holds Accountable

40. The Safety Side Effect
‣ Steps Up to Failure
‣ Looks for an Account of Why
‣ Resolves the Real Underlying Reason
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
#1 Holds Accountable

41. The Safety Side Effect
‣ Steps Up to Failure
‣ Looks for an Account of Why
‣ Resolves the Real Underlying Reason
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
#1 Holds Accountable

42. The Safety Side Effect
The Best Boss avoids the “Fundamental Attribution Error.”
Fundamental Attribution Error
The tendency to overlook external factors and
focus on people’s character or motivation
when they do something wrong.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
#1 Holds Accountable

43. The Safety Side Effect
SYSTEMS
SUROUNDINGS
OTHERS
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC
SELF

44. The Safety Side Effect
Research
STUDY of LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS & SAFETY CLIMATE (Zohar)
Supervisors who model a “transformational”
approach to leadership saw significantly
fewer injuries among subordinate
employees.

45. The Safety Side Effect
Why do“Best Bosses”
produce a safety side
effect?
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

46. The Safety Side Effect
“Best Bosses” create a climate in which…
1. Others are more receptive to redirection/
intervention.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

47. The Safety Side Effect
“Best Bosses” create a climate in which…
1. Others are more receptive to redirection/
intervention.
2. Others are more likely to speak up when they see
something unsafe.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

48. The Safety Side Effect
“Best Bosses” create a climate in which…
1. Others are more receptive to redirection/
intervention.
2. Others are more likely to speak up when they see
something unsafe.
3. Others take initiative to improve conditions &
systems.
© 2013, The RAD Group LLC

49. The Safety Side Effect
How supervisors coincidentally improve safety

50. Resources for You
theradgroup.com/vpp-16
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