Now is the Time to Create a Trauma-Informed Workplace
Photo by Sandy Ching on Unsplash
I spent years of my life showing up as the best and worst employee. I’d come out of the gate strong, excelling in the eyes of my employers. I’d win awards – employee of the month, instructor of the quarter. I worked long hours and earned the accolades from my boss, which fueled my desire to work even harder.
Eventually, I’d burn out. I’d grow fearful of losing the esteem of those around me. I’d hide out, paralyzed and overwhelmed, playing solitaire. I grew defensive with my co-workers, blowing small things out of proportion. Soon, people noticed something was wrong. It would be only a matter of time before I left – voluntarily or involuntarily.
What I didn’t understand at the time was that these are common ways that trauma shows up in the workplace. Trauma is a normal response to traumatic events where one’s assumptions about the world are shattered. One’s sense of safety or agency is shattered. In the workplace, people “sort for control”, meaning, they look for ways to keep themselves safe. They work to exhaustion. They people please. They hide from challenges. Minor criticisms are experienced like a devastating blow.
Shame envelopes trauma survivors, especially when the community blames them for what they experienced – sexual assault, incarceration. Without recovery, people re-experience trauma throughout their lives. Seemingly benign triggers bring the traumatic events into the present, and the body responds: fight, flight, or freeze
For me, this cycle finally broke me. I lost my career and family. I coped by using drugs and alcohol – which is tragically common among trauma survivors. I eventually lost my freedom.
I knew the cycle would continue unless I found trauma recovery. I decided to get help. There are many routes to trauma recovery, and most of them involve a loving community. For me, this meant finding a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma recovery and surrounding myself with supportive people who never use the language of shame. For the first time in my life, I enjoyed my work. I didn’t do it for the accolades, but for the sense of purpose it gave me.
What I learned during this period of my career was that leaders have the power to create workplaces that support those who have experienced trauma. I learned that the time you spend investing in others is the best use of time. When I realized this, my approach to supervision changed. I became more interested in helping people realize their own potential. I learned to model the leadership I expected of others so that they had a roadmap of success. I learned to model self care.
A trauma-informed workplace is a place where everyone always dreamed of working. People excel. Innovation thrives. People become ever more effective and learn to leave work on time.
I just completed my Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification. I know that leaders have the power to create a sense of community within the workplace, a community that accomplishes great things while also supporting people whether they have experienced trauma or not.
There has never been a more important time to invest in trauma-informed leadership. I train organizations to create transformational spaces where everyone can thrive. I provide leadership coaching to help people achieve their individual goals, and group coaching to help teams create spaces where people grow, learn, and excel.
Reach out to learn more!
Doug Smith
(512) 757-1941