Leading from the Front – What It Really Means

Wow it is 2025 already five years after the pandemic

Whoa… what a wild ride 2020 was.
Honestly, I’ve scratched it out of my diary—how about you?

Through all the madness, one thing stood out to me: leadership. And more specifically, what it truly means to lead from the front. So, what does that actually look like?

Let’s start with a tough question:
Is it all just about the money?

We see it time and time again—money versus safety. There are people who’ll choose shortcuts, even if it means ignoring the very rules their mates are supposed to support. Or maybe it’s not about money at all. Maybe it’s just laziness—“It’s easier to do it this way.” But does the reason even matter?

If you're part of a company that invests heavily in training, safety, and compliance, ask yourself—why would they do that?

Well, I’m glad you asked. It could be one (or more) of the following:

1. Because they respect your safety. They want every job done in the safest possible way to reduce the risk of injury or disruptions to your work.

2. Because they have money to burn. (Let’s be real—this is highly unlikely.)

3. Because the rules only apply to some? That doesn’t stack up. Industrial manslaughter is still industrial manslaughter, no matter who’s involved.

4. Because they think ticking the training box is enough? Also unlikely. Executive leadership knows that safety and compliance aren’t optional—they’re mandatory.

I often hear people say, “They’re just covering their ass.” And yes, that may be part of it. But at the end of the day, if it means your safety is prioritised—then isn’t that a good thing? Whether it’s compliance or ass-covering, it’s still a step in the right direction. The effort is being made. It’s up to you to follow that lead.

Another common complaint: “They don’t really care.”
If that were true, why would they invest so much time and money in something they didn’t care about? That argument doesn’t hold up either.

So, What Does This Have to Do With Leading From the Front?

A person who leads from the front sets the tone—not just for their own performance, but for the entire team. Here's what that looks like:

• They care about the company as a whole—not just themselves.

• They believe in and respect the company’s values.

• They don’t risk safety by working while fatigued.

• They’re not banned from sites—because they live the values every day.

• They’re respected by partner companies and industry peers.

• They’re respected by fellow employees and contractors alike.

• They’re often the most trusted and reliable operators in the business.

• They never settle for mediocrity—they always strive to improve.

• They don’t get complacent—they stay up to date with training and continue to upskill.

• They set the standard—day in, day out.

It takes a special kind of person to lead from the front—and even more so to stay there.

The person who leads from the front is the best of the best.