---
title: Kevin Burns Blog | peoplework (4)
description: peoplework | Tools and strategies to build supervisor leadership, clarify the safety message, and get employee buy-in.  (4)
---

Kevin Burns Blog | peoplework (4)

[![KevBurns Learning: We teach industrial supervisors how to be really great leaders.](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kev-Burns-Learning-white.png?width=240&height=118&name=Kev-Burns-Learning-white.png "KevBurns Learning: We teach industrial supervisors how to be really great leaders.")](https://www.kevburns.com/)

- [About](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns)
- [Supervisor Academy](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) 
    - [7 Reasons to Not Work With Us](https://www.kevburns.com/7-reasons-not-to-work-with-us)
    - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits)
- [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator)
- [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) 
    - [People](https://www.kevburns.com/people-issues)
    - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues)
    - [Escalations](https://www.kevburns.com/escalation-issues)
- [Resources](https://www.kevburns.com/books) 
    - [Books](https://www.kevburns.com/books)
    - [Newsletter](https://www.kevburns.com/newsletter)
    - [Downloads](https://www.kevburns.com/downloads)
    - [Case Study NBU](https://www.kevburns.com/nbu-case-study)
    - [Case Study WCC](https://www.kevburns.com/wcc-case-study-2026)
    - [ROI Videos](https://www.kevburns.com/videos)
    - [Speaking](https://www.kevburns.com/speaking)
    - [Media/Podcast](https://www.kevburns.com/media)
- [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog)
- [Contact](https://www.kevburns.com/contact-us)

- [About](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns)
- [Supervisor Academy](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) 
    - [7 Reasons to Not Work With Us](https://www.kevburns.com/7-reasons-not-to-work-with-us)
    - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits)
- [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator)
- [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) 
    - [People](https://www.kevburns.com/people-issues)
    - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues)
    - [Escalations](https://www.kevburns.com/escalation-issues)
- [Resources](https://www.kevburns.com/books) 
    - [Books](https://www.kevburns.com/books)
    - [Newsletter](https://www.kevburns.com/newsletter)
    - [Downloads](https://www.kevburns.com/downloads)
    - [Case Study NBU](https://www.kevburns.com/nbu-case-study)
    - [Case Study WCC](https://www.kevburns.com/wcc-case-study-2026)
    - [ROI Videos](https://www.kevburns.com/videos)
    - [Speaking](https://www.kevburns.com/speaking)
    - [Media/Podcast](https://www.kevburns.com/media)
- [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog)
- [Contact](https://www.kevburns.com/contact-us)

# Kevin Burns Blog

#### Leadership for frontline industrial supervisors.

[Current Articles](https://www.kevburns.com/blog)

[RSS](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/rss.xml)

[Why Work With Kevin?](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns)

- [safety leadership (247)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-leadership)
- [safety culture (166)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-culture)
- [kevin burns (137)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/kevin-burns)
- [safety buy-in (125)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-buy-in)
- [peoplework (96)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework)
- [the carefull supervisor (90)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/the-carefull-supervisor)
- [safety meeting (74)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting)
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- [safety communications (58)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-communications)
- [supervisor leadership (57)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-leadership)
- [safety complacency (52)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-complacency)
- [safety (51)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety)
- [selling safety (33)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/selling-safety)
- [Leadership Development (32)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/leadership-development)
- [Supervisor leadership skills (32)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-leadership-skills)
- [supervisor development (27)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-development)
- [supervisor safety coaching (23)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-safety-coaching)
- [Developing effective frontline leaders (18)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/developing-effective-frontline-leaders)
- [employee engagement (18)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement)
- [frontline supervisors (15)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisors)
- [hope promotion (15)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/hope-promotion)
- [Employee Retention (14)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-retention)
- [workplace safety culture (14)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-safety-culture)
- [Industrial Supervision (13)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-supervision)
- [workplace culture (12)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-culture)
- [Workplace Safety (11)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-safety)
- [Business ROI (10)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/business-roi)
- [CareFull Supervisor (10)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/carefull-supervisor)
- [Engaging frontline teams (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/engaging-frontline-teams)
- [people skills (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/people-skills)
- [positive supervisor (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/positive-supervisor)
- [supervisor communications (6)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-communications)
- [frontline leadership (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-leadership)
- [industrial leadership (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-leadership)
- [industrial safety (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-safety)
- [operations management (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-management)
- [frontline supervisor training (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisor-training)
- [operational performance (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operational-performance)
- [team development (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/team-development)
- [12 metrics (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/12-metrics)
- [Employee Motivation (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-motivation)
- [Succession Planning (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/succession-planning)
- [absenteeism and safety (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism-and-safety)
- [disengagement (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/disengagement)
- [employee turnover (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-turnover)
- [frontline management (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-management)
- [industrial management (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-management)
- [plant manager (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/plant-manager)
- [psychological safety (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/psychological-safety)
- [safety manager (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-manager)
- [safety training for supervisors (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-training-for-supervisors)
- [supervisor adaptability (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-adaptability)
- [supervisor people-skills (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-people-skills)
- [supervisor safety leadership (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-safety-leadership)
- [supervisor trust (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-trust)
- [team culture (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/team-culture)
- [52 benefits of safety (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/52-benefits-of-safety)
- [Absenteeism Reduction (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism-reduction)
- [absenteeism (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism)
- [care in the workplace (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/care-in-the-workplace)
- [coaching supervisors (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/coaching-supervisors)
- [confidence at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/confidence-at-work)
- [core essentials (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/core-essentials)
- [cost cutting (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/cost-cutting)
- [crisis management (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/crisis-management)
- [delegation (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/delegation)
- [departmental budget cuts (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/departmental-budget-cuts)
- [departmental silos (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/departmental-silos)
- [ehs (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/ehs)
- [employee burnout (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-burnout)
- [employee wellbeing (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-wellbeing)
- [employee wellness program (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-wellness-program)
- [employees interrupt safety meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employees-interrupt-safety-meetings)
- [escalations (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/escalations)
- [exit interview (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/exit-interview)
- [family safety culture (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/family-safety-culture)
- [how to improve safety culture (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/how-to-improve-safety-culture)
- [how to reduce workplace stress (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/how-to-reduce-workplace-stress)
- [how to run a safety meeting (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/how-to-run-a-safety-meeting)
- [hse (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/hse)
- [leadership standardization (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/leadership-standardization)
- [management meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/management-meetings)
- [manufacturing leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/manufacturing-leadership)
- [mental health at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/mental-health-at-work)
- [operations leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-leadership)
- [organizational silos (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/organizational-silos)
- [performance metrics (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/performance-metrics)
- [peter principle (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peter-principle)
- [productivity (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/productivity)
- [relationship management (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/relationship-management)
- [safety meeting problems (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting-problems)
- [safety meeting script (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting-script)
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- [safety posters (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-posters)
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- [silo thinking (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/silo-thinking)
- [staff retention (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/staff-retention)
- [stress at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/stress-at-work)
- [supervisor coaching (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-coaching)
- [supervisor confidence (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-confidence)
- [supervisor loneliness (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-loneliness)
- [supervisor warning signs (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-warning-signs)
- [taking control of safety meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/taking-control-of-safety-meetings)
- [truly human leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/truly-human-leadership)
- [turnover and safety (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/turnover-and-safety)
- [unplanned costs (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/unplanned-costs)
- [workforce stability (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workforce-stability)
- [workplace stress (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-stress)
- [workplace wellness (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-wellness)
- [world-class safety program (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/world-class-safety-program)

See all

## [3 Ways to Make Safety Meetings Matter](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/3-ways-to-make-safety-meetings-matter)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 13](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-13.png?width=900&name=thumb-13.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/3-ways-to-make-safety-meetings-matter)

 Are you meeting the needs of your people in safety meetings? How many times have you seen presenters, with 10 minutes of solid information, stretch it into a 90-minute presentation? How does that happen? Here’s how. The person organizing the safety meeting is trying to fill blocks of time instead of developing content that will make a difference to their people.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/3-ways-to-make-safety-meetings-matter)

## [5 Key Ingredients to Building Safety Engagement](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/5-key-ingredients-to-building-safety-engagement)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 12](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-12.png?width=900&name=thumb-12.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/5-key-ingredients-to-building-safety-engagement)

 If you want to change safety performance, you have to change the approach and the conversation. In safety, there are no trade secrets. The same set of rules apply to every company within an industry. Construction safety applies to all builders. Mining safety is the same for every mine. Electrical safety is the same for every electrician. Whatever your industry, your competitors don’t get a leg up because they have different rules to play by. Everyone has the same rules and the same code.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/5-key-ingredients-to-building-safety-engagement)

## [Yes, You CAN Make People Care About Safety!](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/yes-you-can-make-people-care-about-safety)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 11](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-11.png?width=900&name=thumb-11.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/yes-you-can-make-people-care-about-safety)

 If you want your people to care, do and say the things that matter to them. Why won't people just follow the safety rules? Why don't they speak up at meetings or take the paperwork seriously? Tough questions to ask if you’re a supervisor or safety person trying to get their people to care about safety. But, here's the good news: you can make people care about safety.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/yes-you-can-make-people-care-about-safety)

## [Make Your Safety Job Redundant](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/make-your-safety-job-irrelevant)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 9](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-9.png?width=900&name=thumb-9.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/make-your-safety-job-irrelevant)

 The safety of others is more important than clinging to your job. Who is benefitting most from you showing up at work each day? Your co-workers or you? The answer to this question illustrates your intent.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/make-your-safety-job-irrelevant)

## [The Most Influential Person in Safety Is Not Who You Think](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/most-influential-person-in-safety)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 8](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-8.png?width=900&name=thumb-8.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/most-influential-person-in-safety)

 We have the best people and the best safety processes more than ever, so you have to wonder why we are still hurting people? For 50 years, safety has been promoted as being all about rules, processes, regulations, paperwork, inspections, reporting. We’ve organized a lot of meetings, and talked far too much about rules, and we’ve endured death by Powerpoint, and tried to get traction on the cutesy slogans, and tired, worn-out clichés. Oh, sure we've developed some new technology but mostly to make it easier to pencil-whip checklists and file reports. There’s not much that has been developed to make safety more engaging, and inspiring, and motivating.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/most-influential-person-in-safety)

## [(video) How To Intensify Safety Participation](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/intensify-safety-participation)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 7](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-7.png?width=900&name=thumb-7.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/intensify-safety-participation)

 What is your intent when it comes to safety? Ever thought about how to make mission, vision and purpose statements more powerful and to help improve safety doing it? Even more powerful than a corporate mission statement is a crew mission statement. Kind of like a team purpose or plan that galvanizes the crew members.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/intensify-safety-participation)

## [(Video) It Seems Like Your People Don't Care About Safety, But...](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/it-seems-like-your-people-dont-care-about-safety)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 6](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-6.png?width=900&name=thumb-6.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/it-seems-like-your-people-dont-care-about-safety)

 It seems like your people don't care about safety, but they do. Yes, your people do care about safety. They just don't care the way you care about it, because they see safety differently than you do. Everyone cares about something. However, what's appealing and motivating to you is not always appealing and motivating to someone else. Your goals for safety improvement may be important to you, but your people need to have a benefit in working harder to reach those goals.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/it-seems-like-your-people-dont-care-about-safety)

## [The 2 Approaches to Safety Meetings That Are Wrong ... and what to do.](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-2-approaches-to-safety-meetings-that-are-wrong-...-and-what-to-do)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 5](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-5.png?width=900&name=thumb-5.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-2-approaches-to-safety-meetings-that-are-wrong-...-and-what-to-do)

 There are two approaches taken to safety meetings and usually both are wrong. This video explores the two most common forms of ineffective safety meeting ... and what to do instead. In this video, you will learn:

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-2-approaches-to-safety-meetings-that-are-wrong-...-and-what-to-do)

## [How to Build Teamwork and Your Reputation](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/are-you-personally-top-3-reliable-in-safety)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb 4](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb-4.png?width=900&name=thumb-4.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/are-you-personally-top-3-reliable-in-safety)

 Good team members are reliable. They do the right thing at the right time for the good of the team. And, their co-workers can rely on them to do the right thing always. That goes a long way in building your reputation. When you're at work, your team members want to be able to rely on the other members of the team. All of them. Would the people you work with, if they had to pick out three employees, name you as one of the top three most reliable team members in safety and who consistently look out for the welfare of others?

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/are-you-personally-top-3-reliable-in-safety)

## [Sending People Home Safe Is Not Most Important](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/sending-people-home-safe-is-not-most-important)

 Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 

[![thumb2](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/thumb2.png?width=900&name=thumb2.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/sending-people-home-safe-is-not-most-important)

 “Sending people home safe” has become an all too familiar phrase. It has become that thing people say when they used to say "safety first." It's a phrase that rolls off your tongue in an effort to prove that you have a commitment to safety. But there's a problem with it. Sending people home safely is actually the least you can do. It’s what employees expect you to do. They show up at work expecting to go home safely. But truthfully, anyone simply enforcing rules can get people home safely.

[Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/sending-people-home-safe-is-not-most-important)

[Previous](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework/page/3) [All posts](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework/page/5)

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---

Kevin Burns' newest book,

**The CareFull Supervisor**.

This is the book that every frontline supervisor should read.

 

![carefull-supervisor-3d-covers-400-1](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/carefull-supervisor-3d-covers-400-1.png?width=253&height=253&name=carefull-supervisor-3d-covers-400-1.png)

 

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