5 Reasons to Lead EHS with Emotional Intelligence

EHS professionals are higly oriented to governance and compliance. Learning OSHA, DOT, EPA and other Federal and State regulations are foundational to our career, same as to keep inspections and good records of audits combined with a low accident rate usually is consider as having a successful program. But if you are beyond that stage and you have realized that although this is highly important, and perhaps foundational is the right word, to build a resilient EHS culture and become a successfull EHS profesional, you will have to cross that line and evolve through leadership competencies.

Here is when we introduce EHS with Emotional Intelligence (EI), a different approach to engage, build relations and grow a resilient EHS culture.

Below I am describing 5 common scenarios highlighting the outcomes where no emotional intelligence is present as well the positive and nourishing outcomes when applying Emotional Intelligence to each situation.

1. When Navigating Safety Audits

Scenario: During a safety audit, the facilities manager expresses frustration due to existing overtime commitments. Without Emotional Intelligence. ☹: The EHS professional dismisses the manager’s concerns, focusing solely on the audit checklist and disregarding the emotional impact of additional tasks. Outcome: The manager feels undervalued and may become less cooperative, potentially leading to incomplete audit findings and strained relationships.

With Emotional Intelligence. 😊EI Skill: Empathy Benefit: By understanding the manager’s emotional state, you can adjust your approach to ensure the conversation remains collaborative, leading to a more effective resolution and fostering a positive working relationship.

2. When Having Conflicts Over Safety Protocols

Scenario: Disagreements occur between team members regarding the implementation of new safety protocols. Without Emotional Intelligence. ☹ : The EHS professional enforces the new protocols without addressing team concerns, using authority to mandate compliance. Outcome: Team morale declines, resistance increases, and the new protocols are poorly implemented, leading to safety lapses.

Benefit of using Emotional Intelligence. 😊 EI Skill: Conflict Management  Benefit: By actively listening and facilitating open dialogue, you can address concerns, align perspectives, and achieve consensus, leading to smoother implementation of safety measures.

3. When Providing Feedback  

Scenario: An employee consistently overlooks safety procedures during operations. Without Emotional Intelligence. ☹ : The EHS professional reprimands the employee harshly in front of peers, focusing on the mistake rather than understanding underlying causes. Outcome: The employee feels humiliated, becomes disengaged, and the behavior persists, negatively impacting safety culture.

Benefit of using Emotional Intelligence. 😊 EI Skill: Constructive Feedback Benefit: Delivering feedback in a supportive and non-confrontational manner encourages the employee to improve their practices, enhancing overall safety compliance.

4. When Building Rapport with Front-Line Workers

Scenario: Front-line workers are hesitant to report safety hazards due to fear of repercussions. Without Emotional Intelligence. ☹ : The EHS professional enforces strict rules without engaging with workers, failing to create an open dialogue. Outcome: Workers remain silent about hazards, increasing the risk of accidents and fostering a culture of fear.

Benefit of using Emotional Intelligence. 😊 EI Skill: Social Skills Benefit: Establishing trust through open communication and demonstrating genuine concern encourages workers to report hazards, leading to a safer work environment.

5. When Managing Personal Stress to Lead Effectively

Scenario: Personal issues begin to affect your professional demeanor and decision-making. Without Emotional Intelligence. ☹ : The EHS professional ignores the impact of personal stress, displaying irritability and inconsistency in decisions. Outcome: Team members feel uncertain and demotivated, leading to decreased productivity and potential safety oversights.

Benefit of using Emotional Intelligence. 😊 EI Skill: Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation Benefit: Recognizing and managing personal emotions ensures that leadership remains effective, maintaining team morale and productivity.