The Missing Key: Trauma-Informed Leadership

Index

Preface

In today’s world, the presence of trauma is undeniable. Every news broadcast seems filled with distressing stories, bringing the harsh realities of human cruelty and natural disasters into our living rooms. Watching the evening news with my parents was a regular part of our family’s routine. Yet, because of the constant stream of troubling events that dominate the headlines, I watch the news when my children have already gone to bed. The trauma we see today is no longer a distant occurrence; it’s happening in our backyards.

For those who do not know, I served in the United States Army for nine years. I have been out of the Army longer than I served, yet my connection to the military community remains strong. Since transitioning, I have advocated for veterans at the national, state, and local levels, traveling across the country to meet with, work for, and speak on behalf of our nation’s veterans. I am intimately aware of the traumas many of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms carry with them.

But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when I saw my son freeze on the basketball court during his first athletic practice that I began to wonder what we, as leaders, could do to instill a sense of safety in our people. There are countless training seminars and classes aimed at helping veterans transition from military life. I also engaged with trauma-informed parenting classes while preparing to adopt through the foster care system in Alabama. Yet, despite all the training in both worlds, I realized there was a significant gap in the available resources—nothing I knew of could fully prepare my children to face the challenges of adulthood or address the unique stressors veterans might bring into the workplace.

This realization led me to dig deeper into research. While working on my doctorate in strategic leadership, I explored various leadership styles. Still, I found nothing that adequately addressed the triggers and stressors, like a basketball coach yelling, that could affect veterans or children. This gap in literature sparked my interest in developing a trauma-informed approach to leadership.

Thanks to remarkable scientific advancements, we now understand how trauma impacts humans on neurological, physiological, and biological levels. The deeper I delve into this research, the more I marvel at the complexity and fragility of human life. As David expressed in Psalm 139:14, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The intricate design of our bodies and minds points to a Creator, and it is through this Christian worldview that I approach the miracle of life.

I have taken great care to divide this book into three parts: becoming trauma-informed, learning trauma-informed leadership, and implementing trauma-informed leadership. I have structured each chapter to be a stand-alone chapter so that the individual reader can use this book according to their needs. Given the sensitive nature of the topics discussed, I have also included a resource section at the back of the book for readers and those they lead. Trauma-informed leadership is built on crucial attributes—authenticity, emotional intelligence, relational, and resilience—and essential behaviors—understanding trauma, regulating distress, empowering others, and practicing emotional healing.

Some readers may find the initial chapters challenging or less engaging. However, I urge you to persevere, as understanding trauma and its profound impact on the human body is vital for recognizing the importance of trauma-informed leadership. Thank you for your interest in this critical work and your commitment to caring for your people—your dedication to learning and growing as a trauma-informed leader will impact those you lead. I encourage you to continue reading and exploring how to bring these insights into your leadership practice.

Introduction

Three months after transitioning from the Army in 2015, I became a new dog mom to my rescue dog, Mia. During Mia's early training days, our trainer suggested she be trained as a service dog. Little did I know this suggestion would begin my healing journey. Over the years, Mia taught me many lessons—so many that I started a children’s book series about her to share these lessons with others. One of the first and most profound lessons Mia taught me was that our past shapes who we are today.

I vividly remember the day Mia had an accident in the house. Out of frustration, I instinctively yelled, BAD DOG! But was Mia indeed a bad dog? No, and I realized it immediately. Something about my reaction triggered a fear in her that mirrored the fear I had often felt in my own life. She wanted to escape, and I recognized the terror in her eyes as familiar. I fell to the floor beside her, reassuring her that she was a good dog, that I loved her, and that I was grateful to have her in my life. From then on, I vowed never to use those words toward her or any other dog in my care. This experience with Mia became a foundational lesson in understanding trauma, but it was just the beginning of my journey to becoming trauma informed.

I was in the middle of another profound lesson a few years later. I remember the soft afternoon light filtering through the eastern window, cautiously entering the room, much like the counselor sitting across from me. Her open body language conveyed a desire to connect, seeking permission to enter my thoughts. We were sitting across from each other because less than two days earlier, I had called the Suicide Hotline through the Department of Veterans Affairs—not because I wanted to die, but because I no longer wanted to endure the pain that had consumed my life for as long as I could remember.

It was 2018, years after my first traumatic experience, and this counselor was around the tenth practitioner I had tried to work with. Despite my sincere attempts to seek help, healing had eluded me. As she began her introductions, I silently surveyed the room, assessing escape routes and calculating my safety in this unfamiliar space. My attention snapped back to her as I noticed her hands moving in a way that caught my hyper-alert mind. She was demonstrating how a neurotypical brain physically responds to trauma. For the first time in my two decades of mental health struggles, I heard a biological explanation of my trauma response. This revelation was both fascinating and comforting, especially as a survivor diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Understanding that my brain operated differently because of trauma was the most reassuring insight I had ever received from a counselor. It was then that I began to believe I would be okay.

Her explanation of the brain’s reaction to trauma and its predisposition to stress started me on a journey of deeper understanding—of myself and trauma as a whole. This journey also marked the beginning of my mission to help others move beyond mere survival to genuinely thriving. For months—perhaps even years—before I made that phone call, I had been living in survival mode, an existence that had become my norm. Trauma is not like a paper cut that heals with a simple bandage; it is a violation that replays in the survivor’s mind, manifesting as flashbacks or triggering full-blown panic attacks in seemingly ordinary environments. Without help, survivors remain in survival mode until they have access to adequate resources, are strong enough to seek assistance, and can begin healing. The goal of healing is to transition from surviving to thriving—to enjoy life truly.

After moving to Alabama, I began to adopt through the state’s foster care program. In 2019, Alabama required potential adoptive parents to attend a therapeutic parenting program, and during this 14-week training, I learned about the myriad behaviors children with trauma might exhibit. The lesson that struck me the most was the impact of trauma on the brain. Since adopting two children through the foster care system, I have become even more acquainted with how trauma affects young children.

One moment that brought this reality into sharp focus was during an innocent basketball practice. Among other little boys eagerly following the coach’s instructions, my son stood frozen, unable to move or speak when the coach raised his voice. I recognized his trauma response immediately, though others did not. This moment reinforced that even though my children were now in a safe and loving home, their past traumas continued to impact their lives.

I've often wondered what God had planned for my life, feeling a deep calling to help others, especially those marginalized by society. For a time, I advocated for veterans, focusing on healthcare access and benefits and addressing the unique challenges faced by female veterans, such as childcare, homelessness, and food insecurity. I helped many veterans articulate and share their stories of service and sacrifice. During this time, I recognized that many of my fellow veterans carried the heavy burden of trauma into the workplace, underscoring the need for additional assistance. Still, at the time, nothing existed to equip leaders better.

Recognizing the challenges I saw in myself, my fellow veterans, and my children, I embarked on a deep dive into trauma, driven by a desire to help others succeed in life. As I progressed in my doctorate in strategic leadership, it became clear that there was a gap in the leadership literature concerning those who have experienced trauma—and even how organizations should navigate through present crises. While the onus of healing lies with the survivor, creating a healthy workplace is the leader's responsibility. This realization led to my passion project: establishing a trauma-informed approach to leadership.

Since developing trauma-informed leadership, I’ve presented my findings to diverse professional audiences, ranging from nonprofit and faith-based organizations to government agencies and private-sector businesses. My feedback confirms that the world needs trauma-informed leaders; this book can serve as a launch point for that journey.

You might be wondering what kind of book you’ve picked up. While the first section emphasizes trauma, it will connect to how you, as a leader, can support your team—many of whom may have experienced trauma—in their professional growth and development. This book is also for the leader who wonders how to guide their team through catastrophic events, whether a natural disaster, another pandemic, or workplace violence.

This book touches on sensitive topics and might be best digested in smaller portions. In seminars, I permit participants to step out if the discussion becomes overwhelming, and I offer definitive breaks during the training. Similarly, this book is divided into three parts to allow readers to process the information at their own pace. However, embracing a trauma-informed leadership approach necessitates reading it in its entirety.

The first part of this book focuses on understanding trauma. I explain trauma through the 5 W’s—what trauma is, who is impacted by trauma, where trauma occurs, when trauma manifests, and why trauma responses differ among survivors. Then, we delve into trauma-informed leadership, providing an empirical, evidence-supported definition and connecting the four key attributes of a trauma-informed leader and the four behaviors they practice. Finally, the third part of this book explores the implementation of trauma-informed leadership. In this final section, I provide ideas on how to build a trauma-informed workplace, guided practice on leading through crisis and catastrophe, and explain how to sustain a trauma-informed culture in your organization. Lastly, I offer resources and support for the reader and those they lead.

A catastrophic event during the early days of compiling my research underscored its urgency. A local organization was devastated by a murder-suicide between two employees during off-duty hours, traumatizing the entire department and the surrounding community. I regretted not completing my research sooner and became even more motivated to deliver this material in the most practical way possible. I also added a new layer of information for leaders: how to prepare your people for inevitable trauma and navigate your organization through the storm. We cannot always foresee trauma, but we can prepare for it as leaders. To do so requires us to be trauma informed.

PART ONE

BECOMING TRAUMA-INFORMED

1

What is Trauma?

Trauma is a complex and multifaceted experience that can have profound effects on individuals, families, and communities. It is not just the event itself that defines trauma but also how the individual experiences and processes that event. Trauma can arise from a single catastrophic incident, or it can stem from ongoing stress and adversity. Understanding what trauma is, how it manifests, and the various forms it can take is crucial for leaders who wish to support their teams effectively. In this chapter, we will delve into the definitions of trauma, explore the different types of traumas, and discuss how trauma affects the mind, body, and spirit.

Defining Trauma

Trauma is generally understood as a distressing event or series of events that lead to a prolonged emotional response. This response is not always immediately visible; for many survivors, the emotional turmoil remains dormant, like a volcano, constantly alert to perceived threats, whether real or imagined.

The term trauma and the concept of being trauma-informed have emerged as central themes in contemporary research. While trauma has been explored for over a century, recent global events have catalyzed a renewed focus