Ulrich Hank interviewed: How empathetic leadership in HSEQ departments prevents accidents and creates psychological safety.
Leadership in HSEQ departments faces significant challenges. Ulrich Hank, Deputy Board Member of VDSI, explains in Good to KNOW! issue #52 why empathetic leadership is the key to accident prevention. Recent studies confirm that leaders who create psychological safety and actively model safe behavior measurably reduce incidents and risks.
In this interview, Hank discusses the shift from hierarchical power structures to authentic leadership based on trust, cooperation, and appreciation. He explains why HSE expertise is often not sufficiently integrated into corporate processes and how leaders can foster a culture free from fear and blame. The conclusion: Leadership is hard work – and not for the faint-hearted. Those who treat employees as adults, address mistakes openly, and create psychologically safe environments become strategic success factors in the process industry.