Episode 200: Storytelling

This episode explores storytelling as a powerful driver of safety, learning, and meaning at work. Drawing on academic research and real-world examples, the discussion explains how personal stories—especially near-misses and close calls—can overcome the “it won’t happen to me” mindset that undermines risk awareness.

Key themes include:

• The difference between storytelling for entertainment vs. storytelling for impact (poignancy)
• Why timing, setting, and psychological safety matter when sharing experiences
• How vulnerability and empathy make safety messages memorable and meaningful
• The leadership role in being present, listening, and inviting stories—without forcing them
• Why safety culture is built less through checklists and more through human connection

The episode ultimately reframes safety storytelling as a leadership skill: when done thoughtfully, stories don’t just inform—they change behavior, strengthen trust, and create lasting meaning.