NOVEMBER 2023 9 ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS REVIEWGetting others to do what you want them to do because they want to do it is an important element of safety leadership at work, at home, and in the community· I learned the profound importance of parking in reverse (to ensure my first move was forward after being parked) with my Alaska work family in 2013. I initially adopted reverse parking in 1991 when I operated fire trucks as a backup driver at the Charleston, WV Fire Department. My time serving the work-family members in Alaska made me focus on vehicle safety more than ever as I saw the importance they placed on it. The influence of my work family has impacted not only my parking preference but also my young adult son's, who now understands the value of reverse parking. Getting others to do what you want them to do because they want to do it is an important element of safety leadership at work, at home, and in the community. Underlying this capability to influence behaviors beyond the presence of the influencer requires the person being influenced to understand why it is important, what is going to be done, and how it will be achieved. Connecting the `why,' the `what,' and the `how' we do certain things is inherently important to us as human beings.To "get others to do what you want them to do because they want to do it" in the safety space includes sharing safety leadership knowledge, exemplifying safety leadership, calling out observations of at-risk behaviors or conditions, and celebrating safe behaviors ­ all this is part of creating and influencing a safety culture that is good for everyone.
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