Dr. Ayers uses a conversation between “older Dr. Ayers” and “younger Dr. Ayers” to drive home a simple but powerful truth: Growth never happens in the comfort zone. Safety leaders must continually push themselves into new challenges, new learning, and new levels of accountability.
Staying comfortable leads to stagnation.
Safety professionals who avoid discomfort also avoid growth.
The field evolves constantly — leaders must evolve with it.
Seek out challenges instead of avoiding them.
Don’t settle for what feels easy or familiar.
Lean into situations that stretch your skills, confidence, and leadership capacity.
Complacency is dangerous — for leaders and for workers.
When leaders stop growing, safety programs plateau.
Pushing beyond comfort creates better communication, better decision‑making, and stronger relationships with employees.
Discomfort = Growth. If a task feels challenging, it’s probably the right direction.
Model the behavior. When employees see you stretch yourself, they’re more willing to stretch too.
Audit your habits. Ask yourself: “Where am I staying comfortable instead of improving?”
Stay curious. Keep learning, asking questions, and seeking new experiences.
