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I was 25 years old and working for one of the largest
airlines in the world when I first heard the term golden boy. I quickly understood and experienced what it
meant. Today I see the harmful effects
of the “golden boy glow” in clearer ways especially when it comes to improving safety
performance.
A golden boy is someone, often a senior leader, or favored individual who is
protected from closer organizational scrutiny because of their education,
knowledge, position, or special relationship to others in positions of
authority. I have seen first-hand the
harmful glow of the golden boy that blinds people, pushes individuals away,
limits important communications, and insulates them from others.
The flow of information through and from the golden boy is
limited and protected often for personal reasons. In turn, others work in guarded ways around
the golden boy where openness and candor are damaged.
Openness, candor, trust, and collaboration are critical to the health of any organization, especially when it comes to safety. And the damaging effects of leaders who exhibit the “golden boy glow” are best resolved by other leaders who ask for multiple forms of input from other trusted organizational members. In this way, the golden boy’s opinion becomes one of many. Specialists in safety or other areas who have particular forms of expertise must also be aware of the golden boy effect and ensure that their expertise is open to scrutiny and evaluation.
Openness, candor, trust, and collaboration are critical to the health of any organization, especially when it comes to safety. And the damaging effects of leaders who exhibit the “golden boy glow” are best resolved by other leaders who ask for multiple forms of input from other trusted organizational members. In this way, the golden boy’s opinion becomes one of many. Specialists in safety or other areas who have particular forms of expertise must also be aware of the golden boy effect and ensure that their expertise is open to scrutiny and evaluation.
Wise and purposeful leaders understand the favored and harmful glow of
the golden boy. They know it isn’t healthy
for the organization and causes division and detachment rather than engagement
and alignment with the vision for safety.
When it comes to protecting people and their lives nobody should be "hands-off" regardless of title, position or role. Everyone needs to be engaged and involved with improving safety. And everyone should be on the same page - humanity amongst humanity!
When it comes to protecting people and their lives nobody should be "hands-off" regardless of title, position or role. Everyone needs to be engaged and involved with improving safety. And everyone should be on the same page - humanity amongst humanity!
Beware of the golden boy effect and look for multiple forms
of safety-related input. Keep asking
questions, and allow the golden boy glow to highlight, not harm your
safety-related communications and ongoing performance improvements.
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