Safety Leadership
ACN is an award-winning management consulting firm specialising in transforming risk, safety, and performance outcomes. Our innovative programmes focus on building a strong safety and performance culture, empowering organisations to achieve excellence across physical, psychological, process, and environmental domains. By equipping leaders and teams with the tools, frameworks, and strategies needed to embed safety at the core of operations, we help organisations deliver sustainable results and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
“Operating Without Harm calls for a demonstrated commitment to employee well-being, and visible actions that align with the stated values”
“OWH is a programme that focuses on all four dimensions of the safety paradigm”
“The OWH programme offers organisations a holistic approach to the risks associated with their operations”
“The benefits of psychological safety extend beyond individual well-being to encompass enhanced innovation, collaboration, and ethical behaviour, ultimately driving organisational success”
“Safety leadership goes beyond mere compliance; it generates a proactive approach to identifying, mitigating, and navigating risks”
“At its core, safety leadership is about safeguarding the well-being of employees, customers, and other stakeholders”
Operating Without Harm
The ACN Operating Without Harm (OWH) program is a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming safety culture within organisations. It focuses on diagnosing the current safety culture and identifying risk factors, training employees and leaders in effective safety practices, and providing ongoing coaching to embed safety as a core organisational value. Through structured assessments, tailored training, and continuous support, the programme seeks to establish a proactive and safety-focused workplace environment.
Psychological Safety
Our SPIRA Psychological Safety Process, is designed to identify early warnings of potential risks. This proactive approach not only helps prevent harm but also empowers employees to act as guardians of their own safety and that of their colleagues.
The SPIRA Psycho-Social Safety Programme is a structured framework aimed at building a culture of psychological safety within organisations, through Work-Based Learning (WBL) or cohort programmes. It combines early risk detection, analysis, and intervention to address psychological risks proactively, supporting a safe, growth-oriented experience for employees. The programme operates through the five core steps of the SPIRA framework: Sense, Perceive, Interpret, Respond, and Adapt.
Safety Leadership News
Understanding Safety Maturity Scales: Why Most Businesses Struggle to Move Beyond Compliance
Safety culture is a critical aspect of any organisation’s success, yet many businesses struggle to evolve past basic compliance and reactive safety practices. This plateau often stems from a lack of appreciation of what true safety leadership takes. Safety...
The Hidden Power of Systems: How They Quietly Drive Outcomes
This post has been inspired by a colleague and good friend Carl. Carl is a Director of Occupational Health and Safety at a respected National Educational Institute. We have worked together for many years and often Carl refers to systems driving outcomes. Dick Knowles...
Building Trust and Resilience in the Workplace through Stoicism: A Path Aligned with ACN’s Operating Without Harm Programme
Workplaces are often a challenging environment to build trust and resilience. These are crucial for both individual and organisational success. One ancient philosophy that offers timeless wisdom for cultivating these qualities is Stoicism. This philosophy, with its...
The Missing Piece: Why Culture Surveys Fall Short Without a Dialogical Component
In the quest to understand and improve organisational culture, many HR manager turn to culture surveys. These surveys, often filled with a battery of questions about employee satisfaction, values alignment, and workplace dynamics, promise to deliver deep insights into...
Navigating Trauma in the Workplace: A Guide for Managers Using Humble Inquiry
Today's workplace can often be a highly stressed environment. Trauma is an unfortunate reality that many employees face. Whether it's due to personal issues, workplace accidents, or broader societal crises, the impact of trauma on employees can be profound and...
Misunderstanding Safety Commitment in Organisations: Insights from the Shop Floor
In the pursuit of creating safer workplaces, organisations often proclaim a strong commitment to safety. However, this commitment is frequently misunderstood, leading to unintended consequences such as blame culture and decreased overall safety. Renowned safety guru...
The Imperative of Safety Leadership: Navigating Risk in 2024
The Imperative of Safety Leadership: Navigating Risk in 2024 In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, globalisation, and unprecedented challenges, organisations face a complex landscape of risks and safety. From cyber threats and regulatory changes to...
Why Are We Suffering At Work?
What comes next? How do we engage with our people? Leaders and organisations are always looking to the next solution, the next fix. Most leaders have very successful winning strategies. They must be effective as they got you here. Right? Well, maybe. Having the...
Aussie Culture – What Do You Think?
Everyone thinks their culture is different. "Oh you just don't understand us..." My experience is a little different, most people crave the same things. Love, happiness and fulfilment. If any of these are under threat, watch out!...
Authentic Leaders And How They Communicate Differently
Heres some more detail: 1. Be yourself, responsibility is a choice Being a leader is not a role. It is not a part you are playing. Authentic leadership is about communicating who you are and what you stand for. Be responsible for what you say and how you say it. 2....