Amazon’s goal is to be the safest workplace within the industries in which we operate, and we’re making meaningful progress thanks to the combined efforts of more than 9,000 dedicated safety professionals around the world. This team includes leaders like Angela Spehar, Senior Regional WHS Manager at Amazon Logistics (AMZL) Canada, who oversees health and safety programs for employees working in the company’s delivery network, which includes more than 30 delivery stations from coast to coast. At Amazon, Angela spearheads initiatives that celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in safety roles.
Angela recently took the stage at the Amazon-sponsored Women in Safety Summit, where more than 300 safety professionals gathered to share experiences and industry best practices. Angela moderated a panel of female leaders from Air Canada, Canada Post and TransAlta that explored strategies for women to thrive in leadership roles.
Their top five takeaways:
1 – Be seen and heard at all levels of your organization. There's power in learning other people's stories - from senior executives to pilots on the runway to delivery drivers on the road. Stay curious, admit what you don’t know, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
2- Find a mentor who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable – and remember that learning happens in unexpected places. Mentorship is a two-way relationship, and a good mentor should have the ability to express sensitivity, humility and imperfection when sharing guidance. The best mentors aren’t just like you – the most important learning happens in unexpected ways from the people you least expect.
3-Being a force for change starts with discovering your passion. Tap in to what you love as early as possible in your career – that passion will propel your future growth and learning.
4-Authenticy is harder than it seems – own who you are and lead with your heart. The most successful leaders leverage their strengths while staying curious about their blind spots. They also align their values with those of their organization, while maintaining courage in their convictions.
5-Know when to hold them and when to fold them. Good leaders are committed to solving problems, but knowing when to walk away from a challenging situation is critical for self-care and long-term success.
