Lessons and Laughs with Kristen Harley

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball speaks with Kristen Harley about her journey into health and safety, the realities of working while neurodivergent, and what more inclusive leadership can look like in practice. The conversation brings together career reflection, lived experience, and practical insight, showing how empathy, communication, and system design all shape the way safety is understood and experienced at work.

Kristen shares how her experience with neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, has influenced the way she thinks about safety, leadership, and communication. Rather than treating inclusion as an add-on, this discussion highlights why designing systems and processes with different ways of thinking in mind can create stronger, safer, and more effective workplaces for everyone.

Episode highlights Kristen Harley’s journey into health and safety and how her career developed over time

How neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, can shape the way safety is experienced and practised

Why inclusive leadership requires more than awareness and needs to be reflected in everyday communication

The role of empathy and vulnerability in building trust and strengthening safety culture

Practical ways to design systems, processes, and communication approaches that are more inclusive for neurodivergent workers

Why understanding different needs and perspectives can lead to better leadership and better safety outcomes

This episode is a thoughtful reminder that inclusion and safety are deeply connected. Kristen’s insights show that when leaders communicate with empathy, stay open to different experiences, and design systems that consider how people actually think and work, safety becomes more human, more accessible, and more effective. For safety professionals and leaders alike, this conversation offers an important reflection on how inclusive practice can strengthen both culture and outcomes.

Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-h-2b906816a/

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