Be the One: Transforming Safety Through Listening and Leadership

In this episode, Carole Smets shares a candid look at what it takes to transform safety inside a global organization. Drawing on her experience at Pernod Ricard, Carole explains why real safety performance begins with culture, not compliance, and why leaders must learn to listen, focus on risk, and create a space where people feel safe to speak up. Carole also highlights the importance of diversity in decision making, the role of authenticity in leadership, and why every improvement starts with someone who is willing to “be the one” who drives change. She reflects on learning from failure, building momentum across teams, and creating a culture where safety is felt, not forced. If you are interested in human performance, psychological safety, cultural transformation, or modern safety leadership, this episode offers practical wisdom and powerful perspective.