All great security programs are spearheaded by great leaders. Mastering leadership skills is just as important as mastering safety skills. They must work hand-in-hand for you to develop an outstanding security initiative within your organization. Look at these twenty-one ideas to see how many you’re using. This is a good list to start examining your performance. Over time, continue to add to the list. It is a commitment with great benefit to you personally and to the general safety of those under your responsibility.
(1) Be a more visible leader of security initiatives. It’s important that employees see you as the “action” person who doesn’t let safety issues go unanswered. Your response to issues helps build confidence in the process and the overall efforts being made by the security department.
(2) React quickly to security issues/concerns that arise. You don’t want to be considered a “black hole” when it comes to security. Employees who raise concerns want answers. Even if nothing can be done, it is vitally important that you respond in a timely manner. Set deadlines for contacting the people who give you a request for help.
(3) Become a “take control” leader. Don’t wait for others to do what you should be doing. Be aggressive when approaching problems. Be at the forefront of problems. Let people see you as someone who can and does lead.
(4) Complete assignments in a timely manner. Don’t leave threads open. Incomplete assignments is unacceptable behavior for leaders. They finish what they start and get things done as efficiently and effectively as possible. Set deadlines for yourself and stay on track. If you need help, seek it out. Just don’t let things get in the way. That doesn’t endear you to your management, your peers, or your employees.
(5) Anticipate problems. Be proactive. Always look for a better way. Keep your eyes on the big picture. When you see security initiatives, always look for ways to improve the process. Again, be aggressive in anticipating events before they arise. Maintaining this perspective will minimize the likelihood of a catastrophic event occurring without warning.
(6) Don’t get left behind. focus. Don’t apologize. Do things quickly and well. Purchase some type of time management system, such as the Franklin-Covy or Daytimer systems. If you prefer to use a computer or handheld device, set up your schedule on them. The bottom line is that you need a calendar, a schedule of events. Each day, prioritize the items and get started. By making a list to work from, you’ll always know what tasks lie ahead. This allows for better scheduling and competition.
(7) Hold everyone accountable for doing their part of the security process. A true leader does his or her tasks, but also requires those who take on assignments to complete their work as well. Accountability is a key characteristic of all great leaders who practice and expect those they lead. You can’t do everything yourself. Raise your expectations and people will respond accordingly.
(8) Be a team player. Work well with everyone, regardless of how you personally feel about them. you are a professional You must work with everyone within your company’s employment. Build a reputation for being a cooperative and friendly player. You don’t have to like someone, but you have a professional obligation to work well with them. If you can’t do this, you don’t deserve to lead… period!
(9) Keep everyone informed of your activities. As you work on projects, keep your management team informed of progress. This is not so critical for short-term projects, but it is important for projects that span several weeks. Short emails, memos, phone calls… use the best means of communication for the situation. Document those times and methods of contact on your daily calendar so you can chronicle your activities in case someone questions your efforts or communications. Never forget that the person with the best grades will usually win the disagreement.
(10) If you are given a task, do it. Don’t tell them twice. When discussing a task from your manager, don’t walk away until you’re very clear about the desired outcome. But, when the discussion is over and you are clear about your tasks, do them. Confidence in your leadership abilities is greatly diminished if you have to be repeatedly told to start a task. An agile mindset works well. Carrying out your projects after the initial discussion increases your credibility and greatly improves the level of trust your management team will have in you.
(11) Increase your enthusiasm for everything you do. Enthusiasm can be started by anything. When you train, do it with enthusiasm. Thinking that you don’t like doing a task will make the task drudgery. Being excited about undertaking a task will make the activity a joy to do. Everything is in the mind. To be perceived as enthusiastic, you must be enthusiastic. Behaving this way makes you a more likeable person and will also increase your credibility.
(12) Stay busy. Minimize socializing. When you come to work, be prepared to work. Earn your pay for your productivity. Yes, it is important to take an occasional break. But they don’t pay you to socialize. They pay you to produce. Visit, but be constantly on the lookout when visiting becomes a time-wasting activity. Busy people do more. And, people who do more get a higher level of respect in an organization. People with a higher level of respect typically have a greater opportunity to move up the ladder of responsibility.
(13) Stay up-to-date on safety regulations. As a professional, you must continually build your learning curve. Network with other professionals, read security magazines and books, and/or attend security conferences. Use the Internet to research a topic or problem. Keep learning and you will grow. If you are not learning, you are going backwards because there is always something new on the horizon.
(14) Be punctual. If you schedule a meeting or are asked to participate in a meeting, be on time. This simply comes down to being respectful of others.
(15) Act like you want the job. To be considered for a leadership position, you must show the ability to get the job done. Acting indifferently or inefficiently does not qualify one to become a leader. If you want to be the leader in safety, let people know by your actions that you can handle the job.
(16) Administer walking. Be visible on the field. Schedule regular tours. Talk to people about safe behavior. Correct any unsafe activity or condition you observe. Being visible links the work to you. You cannot manage security from your office.
(17) You are always on display. Never forget that everyone admires you for your leadership in safety initiatives. Your demeanor, demeanor, and attitude are in a constant evaluation mode. Let everyone see what they need to see to build confidence in your leadership ability and in the overall security initiative being undertaken by your department.
(18) Provide solutions, not problems: Great leaders don’t give their management problems to solve. They take the initiative and provide solutions. This is a proactive stance. Your job is not to unload “monkeys” on the backs of those who manage your work activities. Face problems and create workable solutions if you really want to impress those watching your performance.
(19) Be easy to work with: Become a “servant leader.” Those leaders who strive to provide the highest quality service to those they lead and those who work for them will set themselves apart from the average crowd. Do not complicate the lives of those who need to work with you in any capacity. Be cordial, courteous and generous with your knowledge. Share what you know and help as best you can. Helping others with a service mindset will, in the long run, result in greater rewards for you and recognition of your leadership skills.
(20) Leadership References: Continue to increase your knowledge of safety leadership. Find good books that talk about leadership topics. Two of my favorite authors on leadership are John Maxwell and John Wooden. Both offer practical leadership insights that are applicable to virtually every leadership endeavor one might undertake. Read the books with a highlighter and pen. When you read a passage that is significant to you, highlight it. Write notes on the pages where personal thoughts or ideas are generated as you read. Then the book becomes a living document that you can refer to again and again. Create a reference library. Serious students of leadership and management never stop looking for the next big idea that could help them build their career or add to their components of success.
(21) See your job as a career development opportunity, not a job. Too many people just want to collect a nice paycheck without putting in the effort to earn that paycheck. Seeing your job as a career and not a job gives you a completely different perspective. Careers offer a future and greater security than a job. A career mindset allows you to see the big picture and ultimately make more significant contributions. People with jobs think about the weekend, not their future.
Get in the habit of periodically reviewing these leadership qualities with the intention of continually improving your performance. That’s what real leaders do. Are you ready to join this elite group?