Why Inspiration Matters: What Motivates Us To Stay Healthy & Safe?

How can we inspire people to be safe and stay healthy? 

Is it placing a huge poster in the breakroom that says, “Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it”? 

Is it buying coffee mugs for all your employees that say, “Safety doesn't happen by accident”? 

Cute clichés might get a smile or two. But they won’t move the dial on safety and health. 

I’m obsessed with techniques that genuinely motivate companies to create meaningful safety cultures. But it’s an uphill battle. 

In a recent episode of my podcast, Clancy Brown and I explored this complicated topic. He and I talked about how, when it comes to safety—and related topics such as individual health and corporate wellbeing—often people don’t need more education. Instead, they need inspiration. 

Someone might know that at home they should quit smoking, and that at work they should wear protective earmuffs. You might know that at home you should exercise more, and that at work you should always have a first aid kit handy. But is pure knowledge enough? Unfortunately, often it’s not. 

It’s these kinds of conundrums that got Clancy and I talking about solutions. Clancy, who is a physical therapist, a co-owner of a CrossFit gym, and the owner of a physical therapy and wellness company, firmly believes that a supportive community can make a world of difference. He’s spot on. And, in my experience, everything is connected. Likewise, the personal and the professional aren’t separate. And when it comes to health and safety, the foundation has to be care. If workers care for each other—if you’re really your brother’s keeper out in the field or in the shop—that’s how true culture and community are created.

For a deep-dive into creating an atmosphere where you’re supportive of others who likewise support you, check out my conversation with Clancy Brown: https://youtu.be/hLJh72oJgss