Reply
I agree that in intellectual property circumstances, and many others, documentation is crucial and necessary, but I do not and have not laid "claim" to anything (quite the opposite...see below). Open communication in many instances is clearly superior to closed, hush-hush conversations so someone gets the "credit", as opposed to what could and should happen for the betterment of the company as a whole.
Your assumptions about my intentions are obviously based on your vast knowledge of me, my company, and my job position, but just in case you do not have this information, I will enlighten you. We are a 5th generation family-owned company, the largest in the world for many of our products, with an excellent safety history (I am the Safety Director for all of our operations) in one of the most hazardous industries in the US. We have been ahead of the curve regarding environmental and safety compliance for many years and have been actively involved in guiding state and national policy in many aspects of these two areas.
Since I started with the company, we have seen a our marked improvement in safety performance and safety culture for many reasons. I do not and have never claimed responsibility for this improvement (and I correct anyone that congratulates me personally), as it is everyone's efforts that have lead us to this improvement and continued performance.
As for 'taking credit', I have had 2 specific instances just this year where one of our owners suggested some improvements that we may be able to make (did not say we had to do them, just to think about it) and after implementation, showed them to him and thanked him for the suggestion and our discussion. No this was not brown-nosing; it was recognizing that sometimes casual conversations can generate ideas that may save a person from having an injury or becoming a fatality. That was the point of my initial post.
