How can someone reach the top of the profession and become a leader in OHS? Wayne Harris, Chairman of the International Safety Quality Environment Management Association often gets asked this question. He has listed the top ten things he recommends to succeed in this industry:
1. Think outside of the box and challenge normal ways of doing EHS.
2. Make sure you do not stagnate in one industry sector, be diverse and learn.
3. Think, act and talk like a businessman as well as an EHS professional.
4. Learn skills such as marketing, Public Relations, HR and finance.
5. Create your own personal image to reflect what you want to achieve.
6. Network at the right levels of the profession.
7. Visibility, get known locally and internationally.
8. Keep your knowledge up to date with latest trends, good and bad ones.
9. Seek and take advice when you need it.
10. Always remember it takes a team to really make a success, so never claim you did it all yourself.
He went on to say:
“One of the main problems I have come across for people failing to progress in this industry is that they are out of date with business needs and the commercial world. In today economic climate OHS professionals need to bring true business added value to their companies.”
Do you agree with Wayne? How many of the top ten are you striving to achieve?
Santia’s HS&E Technical Director Mike Taylor added:
“Keeping up to date and remaining flexible are key factors in addressing practical business needs. It goes without saying that anyone with a role in health, safety and environmental management must remain professional, but legislation is constantly changing, so it is therefore vital that people who provide technical, safety critical advice are fully aware of the latest developments. Whilst there is no single magic ingredient for successful health, safety and environmental practitioners, everyone in this field should remember that there is no substitute for genuine competence through knowledge and practical experience.”
If you are looking to develop your knowledge base visit Santia-Training.co.uk for more information on courses that could help improve your career opportunities.