Panel Discussion: Non-Technical Skills: Developing the Human Skills for EHS Leadership

In many companies, EHS professionals rise through the ranks based on technical expertise without developing the technical skills for leadership. This session explores how we develop the non-technical skills that truly define leadership: influence, communication, empathy, strategic thinking, and the ability to connect EHS goals with business outcomes. We’ll also tackle a hard truth, not every great EHS expert wants or is ready for leadership. So how do we identify, support, and shape those who are?

  • Why do we keep promoting technical experts into leadership without leadership development?
  • How do we differentiate between technical specialists who want to go deep vs. those who want to lead?
  • What kind of development programs, coaching, or mentorship actually help build leadership capacity?
  • Are we helping the people closest to the work do their jobs better?