BCRSP Musings

Contribution by Robin Angel, BSc, MSc, CRSP

BCRSP is launching a new website feature to highlight different ideas, and opinions from a variety of professionals on topics of relevance to certification, and to the safety profession. As the Chair of the BCRSP, I thought, for our first blog, I would share some of my ideas on Thought Leadership. 

Is Thought Leadership a new buzz word?

The term “thought leadership” is not  a new concept. At its core, thought leadership is showing that you have leading expertise in a particular area of knowledge. This type of leadership has been in play for a long time and has been associated with the likes of John Kennedy, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, et al. 

What do I think about Thought Leadership?

When I think about thought leadership, my brain gravitates to “subject matter experts” (SMEs) that are equipped to be the most reputable source of information on a particular topic or subject matter.

For example, if I am looking for thought leadership around career development, I am looking for sources of proven expertise  and opinions under the following headings:

Once I find a dependable and reputable source for these topics, I return to them time and time again, as my go-to resources for emerging issues around career development strategies.

Can anyone be a thought leader? 

With the right level of expertise and knowledge anyone can become a thought leader. 

• DO YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OR POINT OF VIEW ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
• ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT A SUBJECT MATTER THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH OTHERS?
• IS THERE A GAP IN THE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC?
• ARE YOU CONSIDERED A SOURCE OF TRUSTWORTHY INFORMATION? 
• DO YOU HAVE AN ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE?

Why is BCRSP launching a new leadership blog?

BCRSP prides itself as being the most reputable source of occupational health and safety practitioners on the Canadian safety stage. There are over 5600 CRSP and 200 CRST certificants across the country who are employed across many industry sectors. The BCRSP Salary Survey Report from 2021 breaks down the information that was collected on community size and location, self-employment, employment setting, number of employees, number of employees supervised, number of job sites, hours per work week, current salary, salary increase and career satisfaction. For the full BCRSP Salary Survey Report 2021 click here.

The survey indicates a very diverse representation from many industry sectors: 

The level of education among CRSPs and CRSTs also covers the full spectrum journeypersons to PhDs. When I review this broad spectrum of education and occupations, I sincerely believe that the BCRSP and our certificants are primed to be the thought leaders in occupational health and safety (OHS) in Canada. If you are interested in contributing to the Thought Leadership blog, contact the BCRSP office. 

Stay tuned for more editions, upcoming:

• March - Women in Safety
• April - Volunteering