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Trauma-Informed Leadership and Workplace Culture Insights
Tools, language, and implementation guidance for leaders building safer, more accountable workplaces.
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Start With These!
Start here if you are leading culture change, supporting staff well-being, or navigating conflict. These three posts teach the core tools we use in training and implementation.
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35 “Yes, and” Phrases to Embrace Paradox
One way to embrace paradox is by adopting a "Yes, and" approach—an intentional shift that fosters complexity, understanding, and innovation.
Shenandoah Chefalo
Feb 11, 20255 min read
Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn (Appease): Trauma Responses Explained
A clear trauma-informed guide to fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—workplace signs, what helps, what makes it worse, and how leaders can respond skillfully.
Shenandoah Chefalo
Sep 24, 20247 min read
7 Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship
Whether you’re considering your romantic, platonic, or professional relationships, knowing these 7 characteristics of a healthy...
Shenandoah Chefalo
Feb 6, 20244 min read
9 Phrases That Build Trust at Work (What to Say, Not Just What to Do)
Use these 9 ready-to-say phrases to build trust and psychological safety at work—plus when to use each one and what to avoid so it lands well.
Shenandoah Chefalo
Jan 30, 20244 min read
One Life-Changing Trauma Informed Approach You Can Implement Today
Of all the trauma-informed phrases I use, “yes, AND” might be the most common. “Yes, AND” represents a way of thinking that is essential...
Shenandoah Chefalo
Dec 12, 20234 min read
7 Subtle Self-Harm Strategies You Might Do
This blog discusses self-harm and suicide, which can be sensitive topics to many readers. Please establish your safety before reading, including your mental, psychological, emotional, and safety. Self-harm is a topic that's often discussed in hushed tones, if at all. When we talk about this common warning sign for crisis (which often goes hand in hand with passive or active suicidal ideation), many people’s minds immediately jump to the more extreme forms of self-destructive
Shenandoah Chefalo
Dec 5, 20237 min read
9 Types of Safety Most People Don’t Know About
Safety is a crucial topic for trauma-informed systems, and understanding how your community defines safety is no small task. If I asked...
Shenandoah Chefalo
Nov 28, 20237 min read
Why is Safety Important in a Trauma Informed Approach?
No matter what model you use, SAMHSA or Sanctuary, safety is a core value of trauma-informed care. Safety is arguably one of the most important pillars (if not THE most important pillar) of shifting towards a trauma informed approach. Here’s why. This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about the importance of safety at work , and it won’t be the last! Trauma-informed change is centered on the concept of trauma healing, and safety is crucial to healing. Actually, that might be
Shenandoah Chefalo
Nov 21, 20235 min read
Trauma-Informed Leadership in the Law: And Why It Matters
Although trauma-informed leadership is gaining traction in the education and healthcare sectors, it is not a topic reserved for these industries. In fact, private, public and government should all be considering moving a trauma-informed framework not just for their customers, or clients but for their staff. Additionally, trauma-informed leadership is meaningful and beneficial in nearly every sector, including law. Melissa Lucio’s Wrongful Conviction In her recent article , Mi
Shenandoah Chefalo
Jun 7, 20223 min read
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