First Impressions and Safety

The first time meeting someone always serves up what we call a Moment of High Influence.

As we’ve been teaching leaders the world over, that’s a time when a Follower is paying close attention to and ready to be influenced by a Leader.  As a leader, when it comes to meeting new people, the deck is already stacked in your favor, making this the perfect time to set expectations about working safely.

But what if you’re the peer of the new Follower?
 
In cases like these, making a first impression by opening with a speech on the importance of safety is certainly an option. But often times when it comes to making a first impression, time may be something that is on your side. Call that “getting acquainted”.   
 
Working with someone new – and the process of them becoming acquainted to not only the people but also the work – lends the opportunity to both lead by example and set the tone on working safely. In a lot of cases it might even be that new face having the positive impact on working safely. 


Balmert Consulting
June 2024