Episode 265 - Be the Safety Leader that you want to follow

Episode 265 focuses on a simple but powerful leadership challenge: Are you the kind of safety leader you would personally want to follow? Dr. Ayers reflects on life lessons learned from former bosses and uses those experiences to highlight the behaviors that shape effective, respected safety leadership.

🔑 Core Themes

• Model the behavior you expect. Leaders set the tone—employees mirror what they see.

• Learn from the good and the bad. Past bosses teach us what to emulate and what to avoid.

• Credibility is earned daily. Consistency, fairness, and humility build trust.

• Leadership is personal. Your character—not your title—determines whether people choose to follow you.

🧭 Central Message

Safety leadership isn’t about authority; it’s about being the example. If you wouldn’t follow your own leadership style, something needs to change.