Being stern in your recommendation or requirement is different than being strict. As such, I would say I am stern but not strict. I am stern with my recommendation or requirement if we have data or information to recommend or require something; however, I am very understanding and cooperative. Often times, issues cannot be fixed over night. Most things are not a huge concern, so long as the proper corrective actions are in motion and due diligence is occurring. Obviously, this differs if immediately threatening to life.

I value trust and the relationships I build as an IH/safety professional. I am not going to burn a bridge with a manager or operator because it may lead to issues down the line. For example, scare them off now and they may not come to you with concerns later.

You need to add another answer, "It depends." Some things I am very strict, LOTO, Electrical Safety/Arc Flash Protection, PIT rules, Trailer dock and release, fall protection. This is the shit that can kill you.

Other things I tend to ignore. We have a policy of not sitting on the step ladders at work stations. They tell me it's a safety issue. I don't see any safety violation and don't do anything when I see someone sitting on a step ladder.

Somethings I will say something to the person. For example, we have a policy that you can't look at your phone while walking. If I see someone with their phone out, I walk up next tell them that if the trip while walking it will be on video and we will play it at the next safety meeting so everyone gets a laugh. The person usually gets a chuckle out of that and puts their phone away.

I am definitely not a safety cop.

You can't be lax otherwise everyone will walk all over you and you'll become the "yes-man" for other orgs. But at the same time you can't be absolutely strict otherwise no one will buy in to any safety initiative you push out. There needs to be balance and you need to be practical - strict in certain things (esp life threatening situations), less strict in other things (sitting on a step-stool as someone else pointed out). When I was working at Boeing, we had a former NASA astronaut come in to talk about his experience with safety and he said something, I forget exactly, but akin to not being being safe for safety's sake, but being safe in an intelligent and reasonable manner - mindfully safe. I phrased it horribly and definitely butchered his words but that was the gist of his message. You can push safety and demand people to abide absolutely to H/S regs but it'll only alienate you from whatever organization/people you're supporting. If you're mindful about safety, you'll more likely be able to get buy-in from other parties and get people to participate in safety and be proactive in making their workplace safer.

As a consultant, it is my job to lay down the facts and not let anything slide. However, I also help provide multiple solutions to any problems I find. It is not my job to enforce the rules, just educate people on them.