The SAFE Leader

Embark on a transformative leadership journey with “The SAFE Leader,” a specially designed CPD Certified course for engineering professionals.

This programme aims to engage the majority, to broaden perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering sector. Through our unique SAFE model – Share, Act, Feel, Empower – we guide participants from initial awareness to active embrace of inclusive leadership.

Upcoming Locations

Location

The SAFE Leader Book

In this insightful, sensitive book, safety engineer Mark McBride-Wright explores how the principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can close the engineering skills gap and create a physically and psychologically safe workplace where innovation and inclusive design can flourish.

This book is an important catalyst to stimulate debate. It is also refreshing to see recognition of the need to include everyone including majority groups as well as minorities. Whether you are an engineer, a health and safety professional, an educator, or simply a concerned citizen, I believe you will find food for thought and ideas which resonate in “The SAFE Leader”.

Dame Judith Hackitt DBE, FREng, FIChemE

Former Chair of the UK Health & Safety Executive

What is the SAFE Leader Framework

The SAFE Leader training, based on Mark McBride-Wright’s book, comprises a series of sessions and materials that guide participants from understanding the basics of diversity, equity, and inclusion to applying safety engineering principles to psychological safety and leadership.

Encouraging trust and open communication fosters collaboration and ensures every voice is heard.

Purposeful leadership embraces diversity, ensures fairness, and empowers all individuals to contribute meaningfully

Understanding emotions strengthens connections, enhances problem-solving, and creates a supportive environment.

Providing opportunities and support enables individuals to build confidence, innovate, and thrive.

About Mark McBride-Wright

Dr. Mark McBride-Wright MBE, CEng, MIChemE, is a leader in diversity and inclusion, focusing on psychological safety in engineering teams. He is the Founder and CEO of EqualEngineers, providing consultancy and training services. Mark frequently speaks on masculinity in engineering, inclusive leadership, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Mark has trained thousands of engineers, from frontline staff to executives, on building inclusive workplace cultures. His clients include major companies like EDF Energy and McLaren Racing. His research on masculinity in engineering has led to impactful culture change interventions within organisations.

What we'll cover

“The SAFE Leader” course is structured into four comprehensive three-hour sessions, each designed to address a specific aspect of leadership transformation. Participants will engage deeply with both the theory and practical application of DEI principles, enabling a real shift in both personal and professional attitudes and behaviours.

Culture Mapping:

Explore the barriers and enablers to an inclusive culture, express ideas clearly and concisely.

Trust:

Enhance ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, fostering open and effective communication.

Voice:

Identify your anchor story. Speak authentically and courageously to inspire others.

Act - Module 2 Objectives

Active Listening:

Develop participants’ skills in providing constructive feedback and actively listening to others’ perspectives.

Microaggressions & Privilege:

Learn to understand microaggressions and privilege, and how to recognise and how to address them in inclusive ways that ‘call in’ rather than ‘call out’.

Allyship:

Understand allyship, advocacy and ethical practises in engineering.

Feel - Module 3 Objectives

Active Bystander:

Understanding the origins of active bystander training, its relevance to engineering, and how we can apply familiar engineering methodologies to psychological safety.

Masculinity in Engineering:

Discover insights from EqualEngineers’ UK research on masculinity, mental health, and inclusion, and what they reveal about barriers to equity in the profession.

Psychological Safety & Empathy:

Understand how a supportive environment increases psychological safety and productivity. Learn the value of empathy and how to apply it effectively.

Empower - Module 4 Objectives

Empowerment:

Reflect on how engineering concepts such as pressure, stress, and strain have a psychological parallel, and learn about personal capacity and empowerment through the Stress Bucket exercise.

Language:

Understand the impact of language in leadership. Learn how shifting from Adult-to-Child to Adult-to-Adult communication.

Wellbeing as a Metric:

Move beyond traditional safety measures like Lost Time Injury (LTI) rates and embrace a more holistic view through Total Worker Health.

Learning Objectives

Equip leaders with tools needed to create an inclusive, productive and cohesive environment.
Learn valuable concepts to develop leadership skills originating from safety engineering.
Develop deeper understanding of the importance of rapport and relationships in the workplace.
Empower leaders to inspire and motivate an inclusive team within the workplace.
Identify your “anchor story” to be proficient in sharing element’s of one’s story to enhance leadership authenticity.
Learn how to best utilise self reflection and professional feedback.

Training Agenda

Each training course will have a duration of two days, with 2x 3 hours sessions per day.

Dates and times of sessions:

MODULE	DAY & TIME
Module 1 SHARE	Day 1 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Module 2 ACT	Day 1 @ 2:00 pm - 5 pm
Module 3 FEEL	Day 2 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Module 4 EMPOWER	Day 2 @ 2:00 pm - 5 pm

How it Works

Community

Access to the SAFE Leader community group.
Access to a network of leaders and engineers.
Invitation to monthly community calls.
Ongoing community support.
Regular SAFE Leader newsletter distribution.

Join The SAFE Leader

1 copy of The SAFE Leader book
4 live training sessions
1 live Public Speaking session
Lifetime access to SAFE frameworks

The SAFE Leader is for you if...

You’re Ready to Cultivate an Inclusive Leadership Style: The SAFE Leader is tailored for professionals and leaders eager to create environments where diversity is celebrated and all team members feel valued and supported.
You Want Tools to Intervene in Unjust Situations: If you’re looking to actively address and rectify situations of injustice in your workplace, The SAFE Leader will provide you with practical tools and strategies to effectively intervene and advocate for equity.
You Believe Active Listening Is Key to Success: This programme is ideal for leaders who understand the importance of listening to understand—not just to respond—and are committed to making active listening a central component of their leadership style..
You’re Ready to Create a Speak-Up Culture: The SAFE Leader is designed for those who value transparency and courage in communication, equipping leaders to foster an environment where every voice can be heard and valued.

The SAFE Leader is not for you if...

You’re Comfortable With Traditional Leadership Models: If you prefer maintaining the status quo and are not inclined to adopt new approaches that challenge conventional norms, The SAFE Leader might not align with your values.
You’re Unwilling to Challenge Your Perceptions of Leadership: If you are not open to reevaluating your leadership approach or incorporating DEI as fundamental aspects of success, this programme might not resonate with your current leadership philosophy.
You Expect Immediate Transformation Without Personal Effort: While The SAFE Leader aims to equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge, real change requires ongoing effort and engagement beyond the scope of any programme.
You Do Not Prioritise Active Listening: This training is for those who see the value in truly hearing and understanding the perspectives of others. If active listening is not a priority for you in your leadership style, The SAFE Leader might not suit your goals.

What they say about Mark