In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk talks with safety expert and author Brian Fielkow about why sustainable workplace safety is fundamentally a leadership and culture issue, not just a compliance exercise.
Drawing on his experience leading high‑hazard operations and his new book Making Safety Happen, Brian explains how the best organizations move beyond policies and inspections to create environments where employees choose to work safely because they know leadership genuinely cares about them.
Listeners will discover:
The critical difference between compliance and a living safety culture
Why safety must be treated as a core value, not a shifting priority
The pivotal role of frontline supervisors in translating policy into real-world behavior
How leaders unintentionally undermine safety
Practical ways to build credibility, communication, and accountability without creating fear
How to address a “we’ve always done it this way” mindset
How to spot perception gaps between executives and frontline workers.
How to create accountability without fear
Brian’s email address: brian@brianfielkow.com
Resources
Brian Fielkow
Safety Expert and Author
