| | NOVEMBER 20229risk analyses includes all the documentation that describes the scope of work.Coaching, mentoring, and performance reviews – Work family members should get continuous check-ins on how they understand what’s been communicated about the work that is to be done, how it is to be done safely, and how they are performing in working safely. Initial check-ins are coaching sessions because there is a developing relationship, but after a while those check-ins become mentoring sessions. I have leaned on coaches and mentors my entire life for sports, being a firefighter, a safety professional, and as an executive business partner. We can all use a coach or mentor in some aspect of our lives and that relationship is based on being able to communicate effectively.Effective communication elements: •Actively listening to others is vital to the effective communication process. Listening with an open mind, understanding what the other person is saying, and showing confirmation that you are hearing and feeling that what they are sharing is important.• Being approachable means that others feel comfortable and motivated to engage with you. Effective communication can’t happen if the sender of information isn’t seen as approachable. Being approachable means that work family members feel you care about what they have to say, you respect them as individuals, and you’ll actively listen to them. I met an electrician at a safety conference many years ago who, when I told him I was a safety professional, asked me “Are you the Safety guy people like to see coming or hate to see coming”? In other words, ‘was I approachable…?’• Displaying empathy or sympathy, where appropriate, is very important in effectively communicating with others. Empathy involves seeing things from others’ points of view. Sympathy is being able to relate if you’ve had the same or very similar experience. Effective communication in the safety space is dependent on the appropriate application of empathy and sympathy.• Using emotional intelligence and responding to others’ emotions, while acknowledging your own, is important to communicate effectively. Failing to use emotional intelligence can lead to ineffective communication. Body language can send messages that are unintended (i.e. crossing arms, frowning, looking beyond the communicator, and others).Safety communication is typically persuasive, across three levels:Logos – Logically appealing to the work family member to listen and embrace the communication (i.e. Providing facts, data, and accident reviews)Pathos – Emotionally appealing to the work family member to listen and embrace the communication (i.e. Connecting the accident to a personal story)Ethos – Ethically appealing to the work family member to listen and embrace the communication (i.e. 10 out of 10 safety professionals agree effective communication is profoundly important in preventing accidents)In the safety space, effective communication isn’t just best practice, it is profoundly important. If the sharing of information isn’t clear, and any feedback isn’t listened to, mishaps, accidents, injuries, and deaths can take place. Effective communication can save lives. We can all use a coach or mentor in some aspect of our lives and that relationship is based on being able to communicate effectively
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