A year ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Mass Transit Magazine about what it takes to build a transformational safety culture. Looking back, I’m struck by how relevant those lessons still feel today.
At The Wathen Group, we often say that transformation is not a program or a policy. It is a practice. Real change does not come from new regulations or reorganizations. It happens when people decide to lead differently: when safety stops being a box to check and becomes part of every conversation.
Over the past year, I have seen that philosophy play out across transit systems nationwide.
Frontline teams are choosing collaboration over compliance. Leaders are creating space for honest dialogue. Organizations are proving that culture change is possible when people commit to it every single day.
This work takes time, persistence, and trust.
A true safety culture is not something you roll out—it’s something you build together, moment by moment. It grows when leaders listen, when they follow through on what they promise, and when they model the same accountability they expect from others.
Those lessons are as vital now as they were when we first discussed them with Mass Transit. In fact, they have only become more urgent as transit agencies navigate workforce transitions, funding pressures, and the complex realities of keeping both employees and passengers safe.
I remain deeply grateful to the Mass Transit team for a conversation that continues to resonate. If you missed it the first time, you can revisit the article here:
👉 Building a Transformational Safety Culture in Transit: https://www.masstransitmag.com/safety-security/article/55135613/the-wathen-group-building-a-transformational-safety-culture-in-transit
At The Wathen Group, we continue to help agencies turn those lessons into lived experience, supporting leaders and teams as they shape cultures where safety, communication, and trust drive performance.
Because some lessons only get clearer with time.