The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

Every leader has a story to tell. Join The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright as we uncover the diversity story behind leading figures championing change to make our world a better place. Hear from business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, and agents of change as they share their journeys of innovation, resilience and transformation. Together, we explore how they embrace the principles of Sharing, Acting, Feeling, and Empowering to create safer, more inclusive environments for everyone.

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Episodes

Friday Mar 07, 2025

Dr. I. David Daniels shares his journey from a career in the Fire Rescue Service to becoming a leader in occupational health and safety, with a focus on psychological safety and psychosocial hazard mitigation. He discusses the challenges he faced witnessing the loss of colleagues, the lack of diversity and inclusion in the industry, and the need to address unresolved trauma and conflicts to create more psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces. Dr. Daniels now works with individuals, groups, and leaders to help them build compassionate and resilient safety cultures, drawing on his extensive experience and research.

Friday Feb 28, 2025

This podcast features an engaging conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Kirstie Langan, the Global Business Development Director at PDI. Kirstie shares her impressive career journey, from her early aspirations to work in the energy sector after a work experience at BP, to her transition into offshore roles and eventual leadership positions. She discusses the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of the energy industry, and the exciting opportunities in the decommissioning sector. Kirstie provides valuable insights on empowering teams, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and her vision for creating meaningful career paths for others in the industry.

Thursday Feb 20, 2025

David Jamieson, founder of Salus Technical, discusses his journey into process safety engineering, the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic, and the importance of integrating psychological safety and cultural elements into technical safety work. He shares insights on the tools and techniques used at Salus, the role of AI in process safety, and advice for young professionals entering the field. The conversation explores the diversity of industries Salus serves and the need for continuous learning and clear communication in process safety.

Friday Feb 14, 2025

This podcast features an in-depth conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Sally Walters, a civil and structural engineer with over 22 years of experience in the water industry. They discuss Sally's journey into engineering, the importance of mentorship and community building, the challenges and opportunities in the water sector, the need to address diversity and inclusion issues, and Sally's role as a visiting professor at the University of Exeter. Key topics include the barriers to retaining women in engineering, the prevalence of harassment and discrimination, and the importance of treating these issues systematically like safety incidents. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the engineering profession and the steps needed to create a more equitable and supportive work environment.

Thursday Feb 06, 2025

This podcast features a conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Andy Webster, a Digital Director at KBR and Gallup Certified Strength Coach. They discuss Andy's career journey in the energy sector, including his work developing a successful safety strategy at Shell. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling and emotional connection in leadership, as well as Andy's experience becoming a Gallup certified coach and the value it has brought to empowering teams. Andy shares advice for younger professionals, emphasising the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness. The discussion covers a range of topics related to leadership, safety, and personal development, providing insights into Andy's approach and experiences.

Thursday Jan 30, 2025

This podcast features a conversation between Mark McBride-Wright and Tom Geraghty, the founder and CEO of Psychological Safety Powered by Iterum. Tom shares his background transitioning from an experimentalist in ecological research to becoming a recognised authority on creating safer, high-performing, and more inclusive workplaces. He discusses his journey of discovering the concept of psychological safety about 10 years ago and evangelising it through his blog and community. Tom emphasises the importance of making psychological safety practices accessible globally, not just in wealthy countries. He also highlights the need for more research and application of psychological safety in non-western, non-white collar, and diverse contexts. Overall, the conversation covers Tom's work, the evolution of the field, and the exciting future opportunities in advancing psychological safety.

Friday Jan 17, 2025

Emma Henderson shares her inspiring journey from a childhood fascination with flight to becoming one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide. She recounts her path into aviation, flying celebrities and royalty, and founding the global charity Project Wingman to support NHS staff during the pandemic. Now an in-demand speaker and author, Emma advocates for "grounded leadership" - a powerful blend of humanity, humility and humor that she believes is essential for today's leaders. Her story is a testament to resilience, purpose and the transformative power of following your passions.

Friday Jan 10, 2025

Embark on a captivating journey with Mark McBride-Wright as he sits down with Phil Clark, the head of health and safety at Care UK, who shares his remarkable career path from the Intelligence Corps to carving a niche in the dynamic world of environmental health and safety, navigating the balance between operational expertise and academic pursuits, including his ongoing PhD research, while delving into the challenges and rewards of working in the care sector, fostering inclusive work environments, and adapting to the evolving landscape of health and safety, tackling technological advancements like AI and robotics, offering a unique perspective on the evolving role of health and safety professionals, blending real-world experiences with a vision for the future.

Thursday Jan 09, 2025

In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Keith Hanlon Smith, the Chief People Officer at the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) in the UK. Keith shares his unexpected career journey into HR, sparked by a retail restructuring experience. He reflects on the lessons he learned about adapting leadership styles and understanding employee motivations. A key focus is Keith's role at RSSB and the organization's unique position in the rail industry. He explains how RSSB brings together stakeholders to develop safety standards and research, with the goal of ensuring passenger safety and wellbeing. The discussion delves into the importance of both physical and psychological safety.

Thursday Dec 19, 2024

In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Liz Bennett, the Director of Safety in Design, to explore the intersection of design, safety, and inclusion. Liz shares her winding career journey and insights into the evolution of construction safety regulations, particularly the pivotal role of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations. She discusses her work on high-profile projects like the London 2012 Olympics, highlighting the importance of clear communication and collaboration. Liz also shares her focus on the Equitable Safety Initiative, which aims to create inclusive design solutions accommodating diverse needs. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on simplifying complex information, leveraging safety to promote diversity and belonging, and the power of generosity in knowledge-sharing - essential insights for design professionals, safety experts, and leaders seeking to build safer, more equitable, and innovative workplaces.

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