Leaders at a stone quarry want its employees to wear protective eyewear. There’s a high risk of ocular injuries due to flying debris.
They tell themselves a story about safety. Even more likely, they tell themselves a story about regulatory compliance and the cost of workers’ compensation.
The typical approach managers take is to post reminders in break rooms and work stations. Talk about eye safety during team meetings. Maybe even host some lunch-and-learns or mandatory educational classes. And don’t forget the always popular days-without-injury sign.
Of course, the most important action management can take is to optimize the supply and availability of protective eyewear. Have it so that you can’t walk into a high risk area without bumping into a box of goggles or glasses.
But facts, figures and reminders aren’t a storytelling approach, are they?
Do they work? Sure. In varying degrees.
But we know from a continual supply of research that stories do something in our brains no other form of information can do.
So, how would you use a story to influence employees to wear protective eyewear?
One approach could be to tell the story of a worker who lost his eye from an accident on the job.
A better approach could be to tell the story of a worker at that specific job site who suffered an eye injury.
An even better approach would be to have a one-eyed employee tell his story.
Another option would be to use humor. What if you used an image like the one above? What caption would you add to it that would trigger employees to tell themselves a story of the importance of protective eyewear?
An engaging image tells a much more effective story than a compliance sign.
How could you leverage a holiday, like Halloween, to pair education with gory humor to spread stories of safety?
Next time you’re faced with influencing your employees to take positive or protective action, think outside of the 3Fs: facts, figures and features.
Try a storytelling approach instead.
(Terrific image isn’t it? It’s by MattysFlicks.)