In recent days, I’ve been thinking a great deal about humility. Oftentimes humility seems to become more prominently displayed when one is hurt, challenged, or broken in some way. On the other hand, I can’t help but think of the very best leaders I work with on a regular basis. Most are curious and open to learn. Where did that start? Where did it begin?

Organizational leaders are always in the process of seeking out and developing talented people who can take on responsibilities and attain objectives. The higher up you get the more important this becomes. If you could just find five people who could do what you can do, or what your top leader is doing, life would be great.

I've heard many safety professionals proudly declare that - "I'm not the Safety Police!" But what's wrong with being the Safety Police? • Police's mere presence on the road is a visual reminder to follow safe driving rules. People never drive more safely than they are near a patrol car. What's wrong with that?

Take a look at almost any organization that manages multiple facilities and you’ll see different levels of safety performance at each site.

According to a new Dodge Data & Analytics SmartMarket study, contractors employing the greatest number of the most common "safety indicators" realize the most business benefits, Sprayfoam.com reported.

Four days before Hurricane Sandy struck in October, 2013, Consolidated Edison Co. sought 1,800 power line repair workers from its fellow utilities to help respond to the massive storm brewing in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the Claims Journal.

In late March I attended the Indiana Safety and Health Conference & Expo in Indianapolis. I also spent time with my former West Virginia University (WVU) teammate and longtime friend, Oliver Luck. He was Academic All-America at WVU. Oliver is also a former NFL quarterback and well-respected sports executive who is now second in charge with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The Health and Safety industry is evolving and with it is the skill set required to be successful. There will always be a need for technical underpinning gained through formal qualifications, but many successful leaders attribute their success to the ability to demonstrate a set of critical competencies that go beyond technical knowledge.

The National Safety Council is accepting nominations for the 2016 NSC Rising Stars of Safety Awards. This annual recognition honors 40 individuals younger than 40 that have demonstrated leadership, innovation and engagement in their organization’s safety culture while continuing to strive for improvement.