Enterprise Excellence: Achieving What's Possible by Leading with Intention

In this episode of The Pragmatic Safety Podcast by TenForce, host Julia Dubois speaks with Ken Wagner, PhD, Managing Director at Daylight Advisory LLC, who has spent 30 years studying human behaviour and working with leaders to improve safety. Ken shares how behavioral science can help organisations build lasting safety habits instead of relying on short-term initiatives. He explains the importance of repetition, positive reinforcement, clear expectations, and accountability at every level of an organisation. Ken also discusses why leaders should focus on the critical few behaviours that matter most, how to measure behaviour without micromanaging, and how technology and AI can support better leadership. He also highlights the importance of critical thinking, assuming positive intent, and making safety part of how an organisation works every day. With 30 years of experience in behavioral science and safety leadership, Ken Wagner, PhD, shares how organizations can build lasting safety habits through better leadership and a clear focus on human behavior. He explains the importance of repetition, positive reinforcement, practical feedback, and accountability at every level. Ken also discusses the value of focusing on the critical few behaviors that matter most, measuring actions without micromanaging, and using technology and AI to improve leadership. He highlights why leaders should assume positive intent, keep critical thinking in place, and make safe operations part of how an organization works every day. In this episode, expect to learn: -How safety leaders can build lasting habits through repetition, feedback, positive reinforcement, and accountability -Why safety should be treated as a core value rather than a changing priority or short term initiative -How leaders at every level can focus on the critical few behaviors that matter most and support their teams effectively -How to measure behaviors and use precise questions to encourage accountability without micromanaging or policing people -Why technology and AI can improve leadership while critical thinking and understanding human behavior remain essential 📢Discover how TenForce helps industrial teams improve safety, compliance, and operational performance. Visit: https://www.tenforce.com/ 📢 To explore more episodes and practical resources Visit: https://www.tenforce.com/podcast Timestamps: [00:00] - Teaser [01:19] - Introduction to Ken Wagner, PhD and Safety Leadership [04:02] - The "Flavor of the Day" Safety Problem [08:36] - Why Safety Initiatives Fail [11:08] - Leading With Intention and Critical Behaviors [14:44] - Cascading Leadership and Positive Reinforcement [20:42] - Safety Culture During Operational Crises [26:52] - Context, Curiosity, and Specific Behaviors [30:18] - Measuring Behavior Without Micromanaging [36:45] - AI, Leadership, and Critical Thinking [40:41] - Where to Connect With Ken Wagner, PhD "Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review." Follow our Guest Ken Wagner, PhD on: -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwagnerda/ -Daylight Advisory LLC (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/daylight-advisory/ -Daylight Advisory LLC (Website): https://daylightadvisory.com/ Follow Host Julia Dubois on: -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-dubois-ahimsa/ Follow the Podcast: -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tenforce/ -Visit the Website: https://www.tenforce.com/ -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TenForceEHSQ -Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/do/podcast/the-pragmatic-safety-podcast/id6793006276 -Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033Ta0S3lA8IWFXIcj68sA?si=2aa99d9a94d94367