“The best authority is the one that’s never used.”
– Wyatt Bradbury, MEng, CSP, CHST, CIT
Authority, regardless of the organizational system, is something that can be abused, taken advantage of, or resides outside of the formal position holder. It can lead to fiefdoms and influence opportunities to resolve issues using teamwork … or not. From a safety perspective, many times our organizations look at authority as the person who can stop work or discipline. But successful safety professionals know that’s its teamwork and coaching that leads to greater success. While having the authority to do the former, seldom having to use it reflects the success of who is the respected authority holder.
