Trauma-Informed Leadership

Traumatic incidents and stressors can happen when we least expect them, and they can have a profound impact on individuals, teams, and organizations. We are living through an era of human history that is wrought with adversity, disruption, and change. Many of us living in the United States, and around the world, have experienced the traumatic effects associated with disasters, loss, workplace and community violence, civil unrest, and a global pandemic.

According to Gallup’s 2022 “State of the Global Workplace,” stress is at an all-time high. Traumatic stress can overwhelm people's ability to cope, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and eventually even deteriorating behavioral and physical health. This, of course, has a direct impact on creativity, performance, psychological safety, productivity, and our overall ability to thrive personally and professionally.

Trauma-informed leaders are able recognize the signs of traumatic stress, and communicate effectively and compassionately in times of crisis, supporting those they…