Welcome

One of the things I’ve been reflecting on lately is how powerful it is to create spaces where people can share stories.

That’s been the heart of The SAFE Leader Podcast from the very beginning. Each guest brings their lived experience, leadership insights, and a willingness to be open about the challenges they’ve faced. And every time I finish recording an episode, I’m reminded of just how many people in our sector are quietly doing the work to make engineering safer, more inclusive, and more human.

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast, I’d love to invite you to check out my YouTube channel where we host all the video versions. If you haven’t already, hit subscribe, leave a comment, and help us grow a community of leaders who care deeply about people, purpose and culture.

The SAFE Leader – CPD Certified

We’re taking The SAFE Leader on the road!

This two-day, in-person training is designed for engineers and professionals who want to lead with purpose, inclusion, and psychological safety.

Fully CPD Certified, the course supports your development towards Chartered, Incorporated, or Engineering Technician status, with alignment to UK-SPEC competencies.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build trust and emotional intelligence

• Lead ethically and inclusively

• Empower teams and create safer cultures

Dates & Cities:

• Glasgow: 29–30 Sept

• London: 21–22 Oct

• Aberdeen: 28–29 Oct

• Bristol: 4–5 Nov

• Birmingham: 10–11 Nov

• Manchester: 12–13 Nov

• Belfast: 17–18 Nov

Strategy that Sticks with Angelo Ponzi

In this week’s episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, I’m joined by Angelo Ponzi, brand strategist, author, and fractional CMO, for a sharp, no-nonsense conversation about how organisations can stop reacting and start leading with purpose.

We discuss:

• Why founders often miss the mark on customer insights

• What it takes to build internal alignment across teams

• How strategy influences everything from marketing to leadership

Angelo shares hard-earned wisdom from decades of guiding brands through transformation. Whether you're scaling a business or rethinking your leadership approach, this episode is packed with clarity and insight.

The Hidden Power of Belonging in Safety Leadership

This week’s article reflects on a standout session from the Safety on the Edge conference, featuring Mei-Li Lin (DEKRA) and Paul Leonard (Entergy). Their key message: true safety starts with belonging, not just compliance or systems.

Mei-Li explained how belonging isn’t just emotional, it’s biological. It reduces stress, improves decision-making, and boosts overall safety performance. She drew a clear line between fitting in and belonging: the former demands conformity; the latter values authenticity.

Paul brought it home with a powerful metaphor. Some people stack bricks. Others build cathedrals. The difference? Belief, purpose, and connection. If we want safer organisations, we need cultures where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered to speak up.

Let’s connect

Please reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn if we are not already connected.

I love helping organisations where the angle I take with the work I do might help in someway have you make traction in your culture.

Feel free to get in touch here.

Stay SAFE!