Asking meaningful questions is valuable for gaining clarity and is particularly helpful in building a trauma-informed culture. Use these ten questions to guide you and your team into deeper trauma-informed practice. The Right Questions Lead to Better Solutions “ There are no right answers to wrong questions .” – Ursula K. Le Guin “ The one who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions .” – Confucius “ The power to question is the basis of all human progress .” – Indira...

Google studied its internal teams in hopes of building more successful teams. They found the greatest influence on performance was psychological safety. The Google Study on Effective Teams In an effort they called “ Project Aristotle ,” Google invested two years studying over 100 groups, determined to discover how to build a perfect team. Their findings are reflected in the project name: it was Aristotle who said, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The research team defined...

At Chefalo Consulting, we begin every meeting with a Community Meeting, a key ritual that consistently roots our team in emotional awareness and safety. While the concept is simple, its implications are profound. Community Meetings are an essential, trauma-informed tool that promotes healing, safety, and resilience. By fostering emotional intelligence, collaboration, and connection, Community Meetings provide a foundation for healing and growth in both individuals and organizations. Let’s...

Training plays a crucial role in nearly every change management strategy, especially when implementing trauma-informed practices. This article explores the strengths and limitations of training in advancing change efforts and building a trauma-informed culture. Say you’re making big changes at your company or organization. Your leadership team is ushering in a new technology or changing the organizational structure or implementing new processes that will affect everyone. Or perhaps you want...

Victim mentality in the workplace can show up in many forms—constant complaints, blame-shifting, or feelings of helplessness. These behaviors not only limit your personal growth but can also harm team dynamics, reducing trust and productivity. Recognizing this mindset is the first step toward overcoming it, and by adopting a trauma-informed approach, you can reclaim your sense of agency and contribute to a healthier work environment. Understanding Victim Mentality Victim mentality often...

The terms stress and trauma are similar and sometimes used interchangeably. However, stress responses are often beneficial while trauma responses obstruct our growth. Stressors build resilience Most stressful experiences in life make us stronger. In fact, we can only grow when meeting resistance or stress. New or challenging events in our lives, such as job loss, exams, deadlines, finances, or divorce, often make us stronger. Challenges arise and, while painful, we meet the demands. We find...

Finance expert, CEO of Credit Builders Alliance (CBA), and Mindful Management podcast guest Dara Duguay talks with Shenandoah Chefalo about financial trauma. What is it? How does it affect individuals and communities? How is the CBA advocating for financial equity? They cover all this and share where you can go to find help, with a special resource for youth in the foster care system. What is the Credit Builders Alliance? Dara Duguay is the CEO of Credit Builders Alliance (CBA), a national...

At Chefalo Consulting, we dedicate our lives to the pursuit of trauma-informed systems change. And, understanding why people don’t like change (even when that change is good for us) is an essential piece of why our approach works. Because the first step to overcoming a barrier is understanding it. Change is a fundamental part of life, yet it’s something many of us struggle with deeply. Whether it’s a shift in personal circumstances, workplace dynamics, or societal expectations, change is...

Accept your full humanity at work. To become a happier, more resilient worker, try these self-compassion techniques when you feel you’ve missed the mark. “ I blew it .” It’s a universal feeling because we’ve all been there. We think, “Everyone else gets it, but I don’t,” or “How does everyone else manage when I’m barely keeping up?” We feel like we don’t measure up, we should be doing more and doing it better. It’s easy to push, prod, guilt and beat ourselves up for making mistakes or...

If you want to improve outcomes at your organization, then focusing on improving workplace culture through trauma-informed approaches is a great strategy. Whether your goal is employee wellness, leadership development, or improving your bottom line, fostering a healthy, supportive workplace culture is the means to your end. Organizations across industries are increasingly recognizing the value of adopting trauma-informed approaches (TIAs) to create workplaces that not only thrive, but also...

If you want to improve outcomes at your organization, then focusing on improving workplace culture through trauma-informed approaches is a great strategy. Whether your goal is employee wellness, leadership development, or improving your bottom line, fostering a healthy, supportive workplace culture is the means to your end. Organizations across industries are increasingly recognizing the value of adopting trauma-informed approaches (TIAs) to create workplaces that not only thrive, but also...

This exciting funding opportunity is designed to support trauma-informed training for state, local, territorial, or Tribal law enforcement agencies. At Chefalo Consulting, we're passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to transform trauma into resilience through trauma-informed change. We love connecting our clients with funding opportunities to make this a reality. That's why we're thrilled to share an incredible grant opportunity: the OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Demonstration...