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The Leadership and Learning Podcast

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  2. Episode #167 – Making Safety Happen with Safety Expert and Author Brian Fielkow

Jun 3, 2026

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk talks with safety expert and author Brian Fielkow about why sustainable workplace safety is fundamentally a leadership and culture issue, not just a compliance exercise.

Drawing on his experience leading high‑hazard operations and his new book Making Safety Happen, Brian explains how the best organizations move beyond policies and inspections to create environments where employees choose to work safely because they know leadership genuinely cares about them.

Listeners will discover:

  • The critical difference between compliance and a living safety culture 
  • Why safety must be treated as a core value, not a shifting priority 
  • The pivotal role of frontline supervisors in translating policy into real-world behavior 
  • How leaders unintentionally undermine safety 
  • Practical ways to build credibility, communication, and accountability without creating fear 
  • How to address a “we’ve always done it this way” mindset   
  • How to spot perception gaps between executives and frontline workers.
  • How to create accountability without fear 

Brian’s website: https://brianfielkow.com/

Brian’s email address: brian@brianfielkow.com

Brian’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfielkow/

Randy’s 5-Day Safety Leadership Challenge:
https://leadersedge360.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-Day-Challenge-1.pdf