As most of you know, this week has been challenging and we have responded aggressively to recent safety events. One of the many reflections on the week has been a conversation I am having with Paul Balmert, our partner in developing the APM Leadership Tools. We ask our Superintendents to use in the Field. It was a meaningful conversation to tap into Paul’s decades worth of wisdom on leading with a safety keystone mentality, and sharing how our APM is using the tools in the field from the data you share. Three nuggets from our discussion I want to share with you:

1. We have shared our data on how the APM Leadership Tools are used in the Field. He was impressed, and upon some question and analysis, made one recommendation that stuck with me. How are we linking tools together? For example, when we do MBWA, the purpose of management by walking around is not simply to look, but to engage. So for each MBWA we should also be doing SORRY + and SORRY -. And his guidance is we should praise more often than correct, with a goal of 4 SORRY + for every 1 SORRY -.

1. The best coaches have models to show players what good looks like. What models do we have in the business? In the Field, its our Superintendents and our Subject Matter Experts and our Certified Mechanics. How well are those models Leading by Example?

1. Every safety leader will be tested, i.e., will be presented with a choice to compromise safety for another priority (ex: cost or speed). Each of us should be able to identify that test, and be prepared to respond. Each test then becomes a MOHII (Moment of High Influence / Impact). And each test also can become a Stump Speech – an opportunity to share how we were tested and why we responded in a manner that preserved our safety keystone philosophy.

And finally, we both walked away wanting to continue the conversation more. Which perhaps is the most meaningful outcome of any conversation – the desire to talk again because the value was worth the time and energy.

So, given all that we have done this week … I encourage you to reflect on what meaningful conversations you are having? I welcome your sharing with me.

- Jake