'Influence without authority' suggests 2023 Safety Leader of the Year
In an exclusive interview with Ian Opelik, director of health, safety, and environment at DIRTT Environmental Solutions and the proud recipient of the 2023 Canada's Safest Employers Award for Safety Leader of the Year, Opelik shared valuable insights and practical advice for health and safety professionals during his appearance on COS TV.
Opelik says there will no shortage of challenges for safety leaders in 2024 acknowledging the ever-evolving world we live in. He says there is a pressing need to strike a balance between work and personal life, especially as employees are grappling with inflation, rising rent, and increased caregiving responsibilities. Opelik notes, "we're working longer hours, and it's been a lot more stress on ourselves at home."
To tackle these challenges head-on, Opelik offered a wealth of practical advice based on his extensive experience. He suggested that safety leaders should ensure their organizations have robust tools and resources in place, including EPA programs. "We can train our frontline leadership to understand how to address [mental health issues] and have those conversations with their employees," Opelik advised.
Moreover, Opelik urged safety leaders to empower their teams to seek additional resources such as HR, health, and wellness support, underlining the importance of proactively assisting employees in need.
In a particularly insightful tip, Opelik encourages safety leaders to engage in informal conversations with their employees, even when not work-related. "I think they need to hear that. They need to see it. They need to be...sometimes all they need is an ear, right?" Opelik empathized. This simple gesture, he believes, could make a significant difference in the well-being of employees.
Opelik also addressed the need for collaboration with organizational leadership to get the resources needed to keep teams safe, stressing that "it's going to cost a little bit of funds to actually do this, but it's going to pay off in the long run."
Reflecting on his own journey to becoming the Safety Leader of the Year, Opelik shared valuable guidance for aspiring safety professionals. "Spend time on the shop floor," he urges, saying that’s the place where safety leaders can have the most significant impact and influence.
"We need to influence without authority," adds Opelik, highlighting the need for interpersonal skills and the ability to lead effectively in order to promote safety within organizations.
Opelik also offers a message for future award winners and aspiring safety professionals, calling on them to remember to give back and be inherently selfless. "I truly believe that sums up our profession to a T. Because we have to have so many different skillsets to be successful as a health and safety professional."
Opelik's wisdom and dedication serve as an inspiration for the industry, reminding us that effective safety leadership is about caring, empathy, and fostering a culture of well-being and support within the workplace.
