Inclusion, Belonging and Safety: A Critical Link

What if the key to improved safety performance was linked to Diversity and Inclusion? We often say “don’t walk by”, “speak out when you see something unsafe”, or “stop the job”, putting the onus on the individual to have the competence, courage and confidence to do so. Instead of pushing the onus on to the individual, are we reflecting enough on the role of the team leader, the project manager and the organization of fostering working environments that encourage everyone to feel safe to speak up? Leaders and organizations have a critical role to play in unlocking this potential — creating teams who feel psychologically safe through authentic, inclusive leadership. Additionally, by linking EDI to safety, we are able to provide context and relevance to groups who may feel peripheral to the EDI conversation, helping us to fully include everyone.