Creating Your Own Trauma Informed Career Journey
Most of the work I do is focused on how organizations and leaders can create trauma informed environments where everyone on their team can be successful. And for good reason, cultures and organizational environments have a massive ripple effect on everyone in their wake.
I also believe that organizations and leaders have a responsibility for creating environments that are safe and secure, and respond to the variety of needs of their team members as humans, so our focus should be here.
Despite this responsibility, I am also a firm believer that we can each take ownership and direct our careers to better serve our unique needs. And every person who can become more trauma informed helps us further our goal of creating trauma informed cultures.
Learning, Openness, & Curiosity
A great place to start for a trauma informed career is right where you are! Learning more about what it means to be trauma informed and learning more about trauma and how it can show up at work.
There are countless amazing resources available to learn more, including this article series, my podcast Building Trauma Informed Workplaces and The Wounded Workforce Panel series on LinkedIn and Facebook. I also have a list of books and other resources you can explore here.
If you aren’t sure where to start, just remember to approach others with openness and curiosity instead of judgment. This also goes for ourselves. Self-compassion is critical for a trauma informed career journey.
Trauma Informed Transitions
We have a unique opportunity to better support our needs at work when we are transitioning to a new role, organization, or even career path.
A way to enhance your search for a new role or next step in your career is to find ways to spot a trauma informed organization and/or leaders in your search. Trauma informed cultures and leadership are a newer concept for most of the corporate world- so these efforts may not be advertised as such.
Don’t worry, you can spot an trauma informed organization/leader in your search.
First, make sure you are focused on getting a clear and accurate understanding of the overall organization, team and leadership culture for any new role you consider. Zero in on each of the seven principles of trauma informed organizations and consider some of the following as part of an interview or recruiting process to get a better idea of the overall culture.
Safety
Expect to see Competitive Comp
Review Benefits for both Short and long-term financial supports
Ask about Psychological Safety on the team.
Trust & Transparency
Ask to review corporate communications.
Ask about townhall frequency and communication.
Weigh competitive vs. trusting nature among team.
Community
How do new team members integrate into the team?
What programs — formal or informal, build relationships at work
What would your peer group look like?
Collaboration
Review the organizational structure.
Ask about power dynamics & politics in the organization.
Empowerment
How much ownership and choice will you have in your role?
Ask how the team recognizes good work.
Is the organization Strengths-Based?
What growth and development programs exist in the organization
Humility & Responsiveness
What was the last misstep the organization made? How was it handled?
Same question for your potential leader.
Cultural, Historical, & Gender Issues
What kind of DEI policy, efforts and commitment exist?
What are the DEI metrics and are they available to everyone?
Another important aspect of a transition that will meet your unique needs at this point in your career is making sure you understand what you are and are not looking for in your next role.
I recommend taking some time to reflect on the next steps before diving too deep into any search. This is also an excellent practice once or twice a year for your development as well. Below are exploration questions I recommend for job seekers I partner with. Take the time to reflect and write your answers down and then review them as a wonderful place to start any transition.
Transition Exploration Questions
What are the three most important things I am looking for in my next role?
What cultures or teams that I’ve worked on were the best? Why?
What cultures or teams were a poor fit? Why?
Who is the leader that stands out in my mind as the best I’ve worked with? Why?
Who is the leader that stands out as my least favorite? Why?
Moving Past Workplace Trauma
Many of us have experienced trauma as a direct or indirect result of jobs, leaders, peers, or careers. Failing to acknowledge that ofetn the workplace can be a source of trauma versus a true support for most of us would be blind spot.
Because trauma can have unique impacts on each of us, our experiences and what we take from one toxic workplace experience to the next can be detrimental to our careers overall. The first step is to recognize what you may be hanging onto from previous experiences- intentionally or not. Then is the next step- moving beyond those experiences so you can continue to maximize your career.
This can be an excellent exercise to work through with a therapist if you have access to one. Discuss how you feel trauma may be showing up for you at work or even how your workplace has done psychological harm to you directly or indirectly. In a world full of micro and macro aggressions, this can be especially significant for members of marginalized communities.
In addition to a supportive professional, community can help support you in moving past traumatic workplace experiences. I am excited to announce that The Wounded Workforce will be hosting an intimate workshop to create a sense of community and offer tools to help individuals move past workplace trauma. You can learn more and register here.
Embracing a trauma informed approach in our careers is not just a choice, but a moral imperative. By recognizing the far-reaching impact of trauma on individuals and communities- and ourselves, we open the door to a more compassionate, inclusive, and effective professional environment for everyone. We also lead the way on the important changes needed in the way we collectively approach work.
Through the lens of trauma informed culture, we learn to replace judgment with understanding, to prioritize safety and trust, and to foster resilience in ourselves and those we work with. This approach fortifies our own well-being and professional fulfillment and supports all those we work with.
In the end, a trauma informed career is not solely about our professional development and success, but also about the profound impact we have on the lives of others. It is about recognizing the resilience in ourselves and every individual and offering the dignity and respect we all deserve.
By embracing this approach, we not only transform our workplaces, but we contribute to a more compassionate and understanding society as a whole.
Remember — you have immense value to bring to any organization, and you deserve respect and a safe place to grow.