Daniel G. Hopwood, MPH, CSP, SMP, CPCU, ARM, FASSP
2026 BCSP Board President
I’m a reader, and I know many of you are as well. Really, I am a voracious reader with several shelves of books in my office. Occupational safety and health books? Sure. Novels? You bet (I’m a big fan of C.J. Box and the Joe Pickett novels). History? Absolutely. Biographies, true adventure, and even some business books. There are six books in my “to be read” pile. But as I was perusing my shelves the other day, a theme became apparent in the books I have kept. Books like Undaunted Courage, The Worst Hard Times, A Fever in the Heartland, Unbroken, The Boys in the Boat, 1776, Churchill, and 13 Hours stood out — almost like they had neon lights around their edges.
Why did these catch my attention? It’s because they are stories of strength, resilience, and overcoming incredible odds. They are stories of people who made hard decisions, didn’t give up, and made a difference in others’ lives. They are stories of people who were often told they weren’t good enough or that the odds were stacked against them. They are stories of ushering people to safety against immense odds. For the principals of these stories, their hurdles did not matter — they were going to push forward, do what was right, and achieve success, regardless.
The question is: What do these books and their themes have to do with safety professionals? I am not saying we have faced the same dynamic and immense challenges as those who lived through the Dust Bowl, endured prison camps, or led a nation against an attacking foreign power. That would be inaccurate and callous. I am saying, however, that safety professionals share some of the underlying characteristics evident in those books:
Certified safety professionals are resilient. In the face of work and family responsibilities, they found ways to study, attend classes, and prepare for exams. If they didn’t pass the first time, they didn’t give up — they rolled up their sleeves and took the test again. In times like the Covid-19 pandemic, safety professionals shouldered unusual responsibilities that required overcoming adversity and leading through change. Safety professionals, and especially those certified, are frequently faced with ethical challenges – look the other way, don’t report that serious incident to OSHA, and others.
They recognize these challenges and — sometimes amidst great pressure — stand tall, doing what is right.
One of my all-time favorite stories is that of explorer Ernest Shackleton and the men he commanded on the ship Endurance while stranded in Antarctic ice (I recommend Alfred Lansing’s book Endurance). Shackleton is considered an exceptional leader and proved to be a good safety leader as well. Over the course of many months, he ensured that all his crew members were ultimately rescued — not a single one perished. This was in 1914-15, not 2014-15. I am certain that, as he looked over the endless white landscape, his ship encased in ice and being crushed, Shackleton considered his future — and that of his men — uncertain. Despite that uncertainty, he did not give up or quit. He strategized, planned, and executed. He proved that leadership makes a difference.
We do not know what the future holds or the challenges we may face as safety leaders. But it is incumbent upon us to think about that future, prepare the best we can, and prepare those who rely upon us. As resilient, forward-looking, technically sound professionals, our leadership can be a difference maker for our organizations.
BCSP looks forward to helping you to meet those future challenges head on. If you’re already certified, you’ve demonstrated your commitment to making a difference. If you’re not yet certified, we invite you to consider that next step — it has immense value for you and your organization. Wherever you are in your journey, we are pleased to provide tools to assist you along the way. We encourage you to check out resources like The HUB, BCSP Webinars, and SHIFT — all are free and offer insight to expand your knowledge. We hope you will take advantage of them in your pursuit of growth as a safety leader.
And, when time allows, maybe pick up one of those other books too.