How to influence hearts and minds in WHS without scaring the s**t out of people

At a recent speaking gig, I called out the old-school “scare the sh** out of people so they comply” approach. This really caused some attendees to pause, seeking me out to ask the question afterwards “how do you actually influence people without using fear?”

I love this question. It gets right to the heart of what Work Health and Safety (WHS) should be about.

WHS professionals, we need to get real about where “WHS Work” sits on the priority list of leaders and our people. Yes, they care about safety, but they also have a million competing demands on their time, and attention. Whether they’re on the board, out on the tools, managing a team, or running the whole show, chances are they’re juggling an extraordinary things like budgets, people, operations, compliance. WHS is just one more thing on the never-ending to-do list. So when another compliance task lands, it’s no wonder people sigh and think, “Here we go again.”

This is exactly why genuine listening matters. It’s not about marching in and telling everyone how it’s going to be. It’s about being curious, asking real questions, and caring about the answers. What’s weighing them down? What’s shaped their attitude to safety? What’s driving them up the wall? When you show up with empathy and a willingness to listen, you start to build trust. Often, resistance isn’t about safety at all. It’s about being overwhelmed, under-resourced, or just plain sick of more paperwork. Sometimes it’s because someone’s had a shocker of an experience with a previous audit or a safety professional who didn’t bother to listen.

If you take the time to get what’s really going on, you can work together to find solutions that actually fit their world, instead of trying to squeeze everyone into the same boring box.

Now, let’s talk about fear. Sure, fear can get people’s attention. Sometimes you need a hard-hitting story or a real-life “oh sh**” moment to make people sit up and listen. But if fear is your only move, you’re not building a culture, you are just draining energy and trust. People end up looking over their shoulders, waiting for the next slap on the wrist, instead of owning and managing risks. If you do need to use fear, always pair it with hope and a way forward. Offer support, coaching, and guidance so people feel empowered to act, not just scared into ticking boxes blindly.

Changing mindsets isn’t a quick fix. It takes time, trust, and a genuine relationship. You can’t build that in a single meeting or with a flashy PowerPoint. It’s about showing up, being real, and proving you’re there to help people do their jobs safely AND productively, not just to tick boxes or pass audits.

That’s why I built my business the way I did. I get zero satisfaction from handing over a pile of paperwork that’s just going to gather dust, no matter how much someone’s willing to pay for it. The real joy for me is helping leaders and business owners build their WHS muscle and shift their thinking. That only happens through strong relationships and regular, meaningful connection. You can have all the knowledge in the world, but if you can’t build relationships, you’re not going to get far.

And sometimes, you’ll run into people who just aren’t ready to change. If you’ve listened, empathized, and offered support but you’re still hitting a brick wall, it’s okay to focus your energy elsewhere. Unless someone is actively putting people at risk (and then, yes, action is needed), invest your time where it’ll make a real difference. Once you start building momentum, others will either get on board or get out of the way.

This week’s growth challenge

Here’s my challenge for you. Block out a little time in your calendar, seriously, even just 15 minutes a fortnight will do. Head out and get amongst your workforce, with absolutely zero agenda. That’s right, no clipboard, no checklist, no “I’m here to talk about safety.” Just show up, be present, and listen. Watch what’s happening, tune in to what people are saying, and soak up the vibe.

You’ll be amazed at what you pick up in those 15 minutes. I guarantee you’ll learn more about what’s really working (and what’s not) for both WHS and your whole operation than you ever could from a report or a meeting. The whole point is to listen, really listen. That’s where the gold is, and that’s how you’ll start to truly switch the hearts and minds of your people.

Give it a go and let me know what you discover!