In this episode, Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to stop looking for better opportunities elsewhere and instead become more valuable right where they are. He uses the metaphor “make your grass greener by watering it” to emphasize that growth comes from effort, not environment. 🔑 Key Themes 🌟 1. Growth Comes From Effort, Not Escape Instead of wishing for a better job, better team, or better company, invest in improving your current situation. 🛠️ 2. Take On Hard Projects Difficult tasks build capability, confidence, and credibility. They also make you indispensable. 📚 3. Learn New Skills Skill-building is one of the fastest ways to increase your professional value—especially in safety, where technical and leadership abilities compound over time. 🧭 4. Be the Reason Things Improve Leaders who proactively solve problems create better workplaces, better cultures, and better opportunities for themselves. 🎙️ Central Message Your career—and your safety program—improves when you improve. Don’t wait for greener grass; water the grass you’re standing on.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers talks to his younger self about being more efficient.  Time blocking and the golden hour are discussed.

Episode 291 is one of Dr. Ayers’ short, practical leadership messages focused on daily planning as a core safety leadership skill. The theme is simple but powerful: your effectiveness tomorrow is determined by the preparation you do today. 🔍 Key Themes 1. Safety Leaders Need Intentional Planning Dr. Ayers emphasizes that safety professionals juggle inspections, training, documentation, coaching, and unexpected issues. Without a plan, the day gets consumed by noise instead of meaningful work. Planning the next day before you leave work helps you: Prioritize the most important tasks Reduce stress Stay proactive instead of reactive Maintain consistency in your safety program 2. Identify Your Top 3 Priorities Rather than creating a long, unrealistic list, Dr. Ayers recommends choosing three high‑value tasks that move your safety program forward. Examples include: Following up on a hazard report Coaching a supervisor Reviewing a procedure Completing a scheduled inspection These become your “non‑negotiables” for the next day. 3. Planning Builds Composure and Credibility When safety leaders show up with a plan: They appear more composed They communicate more clearly They follow through more consistently Employees trust them more A predictable leader creates a predictable safety environment. 4. Planning Reduces the Mental Load Writing down tomorrow’s plan before leaving work: Clears your mind Helps you disconnect Makes the next morning smoother Prevents forgotten tasks It’s a small habit with a big payoff. ⭐ Takeaways for Safety Leaders Don’t wait until morning—plan tomorrow, today. Choose three meaningful priorities, not a long checklist. Preparation improves your leadership presence and reliability. A simple planning habit strengthens your entire safety program.

Dr. Laura Sicola—executive communication coach, cognitive linguist, and TEDx speaker—teaches that effective executive presence is built on mastering three core communication behaviors. These “3 C’s” form the backbone of how leaders influence, build trust, and drive action. This is extremely important for Safety Professionals to master. ⭐ The 3 C’s 1. Command the Room This isn’t about being loud or dominating. It’s about projecting presence, confidence, and clarity so people instinctively pay attention. Key elements include: • Strong vocal delivery • Clear structure in messaging • Confident body language • Owning the space—whether in person or virtual Dr. Sicola emphasizes that leaders must shape how others experience them, not just what they say. 2. Connect with the Audience Influence requires rapport. Leaders must make others feel seen, understood, and respected. This involves: • Tailoring the message to the listener’s needs • Using relatable language • Demonstrating empathy • Listening actively Sicola’s background in cognitive linguistics helps leaders understand how people process speech and meaning, and how to close the gap between “what you think you said” and “what they think they heard”. 3. Close the Deal Every communication—meeting, presentation, hallway conversation—should move people toward a clear outcome. This means: • Being intentional about the desired result • Making the ask clearly • Guiding people to action • Ensuring alignment between message, delivery, and leadership brand Sicola frames this as the ultimate test of influence: Did your communication drive the decision or behavior you intended?. 🎯 Why These 3 C’s Matter for Safety Leadership For your Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast audience, these principles translate beautifully: • Command the room → Leaders who speak with clarity and confidence set the tone for safety culture. • Connect with the audience → Workers follow leaders they trust and understand. • Close the deal → Safety messages must lead to real behavior change, not just awareness.

In today’s episode, the concept of eating the frog first is explained.  Great book.  Think of the task you don’t want to do as the frog.  Stop wasting time and energy putting off a task that has to be done.

In today’s episode, Thomas Price goes into detail with what procedures a hospital will follow when a patient arrives exposed to hazardous materials.  Gross decontamination at the spill site along with the hot and cold zones of the hospital receiving the exposed person. Thomas also gives some best practices such as the information the transporting personnel and hospital need to ensure fast and accurate care.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers discusses how to calculate the minimum and maximum sampling times for chemical sampling.  A practical example of Hydrogen Chloride is used.

Join us as we discuss how businesses are responding to changing marijuana laws with impairment detection technology to keep their workplace safe. In this episode, Ken Fichtler, Founder and CEO of Gaize lays out the case for detecting drug impairment, rather than using traditional chemical drug tests.

This episode is with repeat guest, Dr. Drew Hinton.  Dr. Hinton discusses NFPA 70E and provides a lot of great examples of the standard in action.  Electrical safety permits are covered along with PPE for performing live electrical work.  Dr. Hinton is a great resource on this topic and an expert in the field of Occupational Safety.

Do you know the difference between a hazard and a risk? In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers breaks down the difference and provides a practical example. A hazard is something has the potential to cause injury while the risk is the severity of the injury.

In today’s episode, older Dave talks to his younger self about personal development.  Areas such as diet, nutrition, sleep are stressed by our doctors, but we don’t always follow their advice.  Personal development will help you in your personal life as well as professional life.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers discusses the importance of professional development.  Look at the areas you struggle in professionally and shore up those areas.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers talks about having a growth mindset.  Looking at challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.  Be the figure it out person.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers speaks to his younger self about facing your fears.  Whether it’s public speaking or tackling an unfamiliar project.  Take an inventory of the ”things” you have been avoiding at work and use it as professional development.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers discusses how his ego was holding back the goal of keeping people safe.  As soon as he let go of his ego, he got increased buy-in from employees along with a lot more work done.  I wasn’t the gate keeper anymore.

In today’s episode we continue discussing Rod Courtney’s book ”* Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture.”  Today’s episode is part 3 and we focus only on habit 5.  Previous episodes include 268 when habit 1 and 2 are discussed and episode 274 where habit 3 and 4 are discussed. I really enjoyed Rod’s book and a must read for Safety Professionals.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers speaks to his younger self about public speaking.  Public speaking can be uncomfortable but a great way to get the safety message out.  I wish I hadn’t dodged public speaking and probably lost some great opportunities.  Seek opportunities to do public speaking.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers discusses the role of the formal leader in occupational safety.  The formal leader is there to support the safety function but that doesn’t mean issuing out blank checks.  Talk to the formal leaders about your assessment techniques, walk them to the hazard to better explain the issue.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers talks about ”Explaining Why” to employees and management.  Talking about rules and regulations does work a little but explaining why lets employees understand the intent of the training and regulations.  Help employees understand why it’s important to follow procedures.

In today’s episode, Dr. Ayers talks with Rod Courtney about his book, ”8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture.” This is a continuation of Episode 268 where we covered the first two habits.  In this episode, we cover habit 3 and 4.  I really enjoyed Rod’s book and I’m happy to have him as a repeat guest.