Trauma-Informed Leadership and Workplace Culture Insights

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.

Trauma-informed change is a revolutionary approach that acknowledges the far-reaching impact of trauma on individuals, communities,...

Whether you’re considering your romantic, platonic, or professional relationships, knowing these 7 characteristics of a healthy...

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...

There is a strong connection between childhood trauma and addiction, which is why preventative trauma-informed interventions are crucial...

Universal precaution means assuming anyone may be carrying trauma or chronic stress. Learn what it is, what it is not, and how to apply it at work to reduce harm and build safety.

Download this newsletter as a printable PDF: Monthly Reflections For many, December is a month full of festive holiday activities and gratitude. It can also be a month that triggers us into our trauma responses. As we walk along our healing journey, we often see others who have not chosen healing. This experience can be deeply frustrating, especially when we care for those people. And, during the holidays, feelings of loneliness may increase. When we look back at this month,

Trauma-informed care is like an umbrella that encompasses the social determinants of health, social-emotional learning, and actionable solutions to create real change. I think a lot of people don’t understand this yet. Understandably, when people hear “trauma-informed,” they’re confused. If you’re not already informed about the impacts of and solutions to widespread trauma in our society, it’s hard to imagine what type of information relates to trauma. So, let me frame it wit

When we discuss implementing trauma-informed change, the conversation largely surrounds how we live trauma-informed values. How does our behavior reflect our values? What about our lifestyle choices, how we engage in relationships, or our attitude toward life’s challenges? When we reflect, we recognize that there are many ways we live trauma-informed values, but there are also many areas where we can improve. So, once we’ve identified the areas we’d like to change, the questi

Throughout our last several blogs, we’ve explored the broader themes of how to accomplish trauma-informed cultural change. We’ve also discussed how embodying trauma-informed values is essential to accomplishing that change. But what does embodying trauma-informed values look like in real-time? How are we practicing the values in our personal and professional lives? How do the concepts we discuss become embedded and embodied in our work? Today, we’ll give you concrete examples

Most people acknowledge the close link between childhood trauma and social-emotional problems later in life. Studies have also shown that adverse childhood experiences contribute to a person’s risk of chronic illness—and the correlation between ACEs and various other issues is astonishing. In this article, you’ll learn: What are ACEs? How to determine an “ACE score” The correlation between ACEs and various problems Why learning about ACEs is important What are ACEs? The acron

A safe and healthy workplace is the goal—but there is a concerning number of toxic workplaces out there. Is yours one of them? There’s a common dynamic where executive teams turn a blind eye to problems while those without power can see the glaring issues of a toxic workplace unfolding before their eyes. Today, we discuss nine common signs of a toxic workplace—and how to solve each issue with a trauma-informed approach. 1 High Turnover Rates Usually, when an employee leaves a

Full implementation of a trauma-informed approach typically takes three years to accomplish, but many organizations are looking for more manageable solutions that require fewer resources. If you want to implement trauma-informed practices but aren’t ready for full implementation, here are some of the most important aspects of trauma sensitivity training that you can share with your team. Developing a One-Page Resource for Trauma Sensitivity Training Recently a colleague asked

Despite the importance of vulnerability at work to promote a trauma-informed environment, the stigma surrounding emotional vulnerability...

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

Most people will say that work stresses them out—but it’s possible that your job as a leader is causing chronic traumatic stress. If you suffer from leadership trauma, these five trauma-informed strategies can help you move forward and cope with your stress. 1. Recognize harmful symptoms through mindfulness. First, you need to know if you have leadership trauma. You might think that everything is okay or that you’re experiencing a “normal” amount of stress. But you may be

If you need access to a crisis helpline right now, call 800-273-8255, the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trigger Warning:...

Last week, we talked about building resilience through positive and stable adult relationships. Today, we’ll explore how a deep...

Resilience is built in three core ways: positive and stable adult relationships, a strong connection to faith and cultural traditions, and the mastery of a life skill. When you incorporate these three components into your life, you will experience resilience. And as you build your own resilience, you enable yourself to be a trauma-informed leader who can build organizational resilience. Today, we’re discussing the first aspect of building resilience: positive and stable adult

No matter what type of organization you help run, if you are a leader, you should be promoting resilience and agility in the workplace. Why? When the individuals that make up an organization are better able to face challenges, the entire system is strengthened. Resilience mitigated risks, ensuring that challenges won’t set your business back as far they could. Organizations improve their overall resilience when they can: · anticipate disruptions · prepare for roadbl