While organizational culture and leadership play crucial roles in workplace well-being, true transformation begins with personal accountability and intentional self-work. "The Work Starts in You" is a slide from our signature training program, designed to improve organizational culture and resilience. Accountability to Self-Awareness Self-awareness is the inner compass you need at work to guide your decision-making. It starts with acknowledging your own trauma history and understanding what...

We often trap ourselves in a world of absolutes, constricting our perspectives with all-or-nothing thinking. This rigid mindset limits creativity, problem-solving, and our ability to connect with others. One powerful way to break free is by adopting a "Yes, and" approach—an intentional shift that fosters complexity, understanding, and innovation. Paradoxical vs. Dichotomous Thinking A paradox is something that appears contradictory but is, in fact, true. In contrast, dichotomous thinking...

Workplace safety goes beyond physical well-being and isn’t being comfortable all the time. Safety is about creating an environment where employees can thrive without fear of retribution or harm. Table of Contents Defining safety How do I know if I'm unsafe at work? What does a safe workplace look like? Why is safety important? Is safety the same as comfort? Building resilience Final thoughts Defining safety at work Trauma-informed approaches do not work without safety. What exactly do we...

Positive Childhood and Adult Experiences protect against the effects of trauma in individuals. Using trauma-informed approaches, positive experiences can also help organizations build resilience, foster connection, and thrive when faced with trauma. ACEs in Review Many of you are likely familiar with the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs . These are overwhelming or traumatic experiences that occur in childhood and can profoundly shape physical health, behavior, and mental...

Defining trust can be tricky. We often know when it’s there, and we definitely feel its absence when it’s not. In the workplace, trust is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and resilience in the face of challenges. Without trust, teams falter; with it, they thrive. Trust Supports Safety Trauma-competent spaces are safe spaces. Trust and safety work together. No trauma-informed practice can thrive without safety, and feeling safe occurs in...

In recent years, the term "trauma-informed" has gained significant traction across various sectors, from healthcare and education to social services and organizational development. But what exactly does it mean to be "trauma-informed," and why is it so important? Here is a high-level overview of Trauma-Informed Approaches (TIAs), their origins, guiding principles, and the transformative impact they can have on individuals and organizations. Understanding Trauma-Informed Approaches A...

Every organization aims for resilience, yet being both steadfast and flexible is easier said than done. Here, we explore the characteristics, causes, and consequences of non-resilient organizations to better understand how flexibility, adaptability, and stability come together to create a thriving environment. Organizational resilience is the ability of a business or institution to adapt and thrive in the face of change, disruption, or adversity. It’s about surviving challenges and even...

Trauma-informed leadership is essential to creating healthy, thriving workplaces and communities. Dr. Khiela Holmes, a recent guest on the Mindful Management podcast, introduced a simple yet profound framework for embedding trauma-informed principles into leadership: the Five Ss. The Five Ss are safety, supportive relationships, self-awareness, structure, and sustainability. These principles offer leaders a clear path to fostering environments where individuals feel valued, heard, and...

In a busy work environment, it’s easy to get caught up in long-term goals and overlook the small steps that take us there. However, celebrating small wins is essential for keeping your team motivated, engaged, and focused on progress. Celebrating small wins is an especially important practice in trauma-informed workplaces. Recognizing incremental achievements creates a sense of emotional safety and trust, making everyone feel valued for their contributions—big or small. As the saying goes,...

Trauma can trap individuals in cycles of pain, disconnection, and emotional paralysis. Creative solutions, such as drama and theater, can offer an alternative or supplement to traditional talk therapy, offering an embodied, active approach to healing. Limitations of Traditional Trauma Therapy Traditional therapy has long been the go-to approach for healing from trauma. Many people find relief from the insights generated through talk therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and other...

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...