Building Bridges, Not Walls: Trauma-Informed Collaboration for Flourishing Workplaces
We often picture collaboration as a harmonious exchange of ideas, a well-oiled machine churning out success. But beneath the surface, unseen forces can disrupt this dynamic. Trauma can leave its mark on our nervous system, impacting how we interact with colleagues. In this blog post, Matthias Ryffel discusses how trauma can impact collaboration at the workplace and how a trauma-informed approach can foster healing processes for a better work environment.
The ripple effects of trauma on collaboration
Trauma expert Gabor Maté explains how traumatic experiences can leave us stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance or emotional shutdown (Mate, G. 2004: When the body says no: The cost of hidden stress.) Imagine a colleague who experienced public humiliation in a past job. During a brainstorming session, their nervous system might be in overdrive, scanning for any signs of disapproval. This can lead to them staying silent, fearing judgment, even if they have valuable ideas. Conversely, another colleague who faced constant criticism in their childhood might become easily triggered by constructive feedback, perceiving it as an attack. These responses can create conflict, hinder communication, and ultimately, sabotage collaboration.
Shifting the paradigm: Trauma-informed collaboration
A trauma-informed approach acknowledges that past experiences can shape present behaviour. It's not about dredging up the past, but rather creating a work environment that fosters:
Safety and psychological security: Think of it as the foundation of collaboration. This means creating a space where colleagues feel comfortable expressing themselves freely, knowing they won't be ridiculed or shamed. This can involve establishing clear ground rules for respectful communication and having transparent conversations about boundaries.
Empathy and compassion: Trauma specialist Thomas Hübl emphasises the power of empathy and attunement in healing (Hübl, T. 2023: Attuned. Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma - and Our World.) By approaching colleagues with compassion and understanding, and by learning to attune to each other on more subtle levels, we can create connections that allow for transformative growth. Embracing our interdependence and growing our capacity to enter into healthy relationships will help us co-create more effectively. But it may require addressing the trauma that has been blocking us. Such empathic communication could involve actively listening to someone frustrated, offering support without judgment, or simply acknowledging the difficulty of a situation. Hübl suggests a communication method he calls transparent communication.
Focus on strengths and resources: Trauma can chip away at self-esteem. It is thus important to strengthen the psychological resources of collaborators to enhance the capacity in a system to acknowledge and address trauma. A trauma-informed approach may encourage identifying and nurturing each team member's unique strengths. This can involve celebrating individual contributions, fostering growth opportunities, and creating a culture of encouragement. Imagine a team member struggling with social anxiety who excels at written communication. By assigning them tasks that leverage this strength, we empower them and contribute to a successful project.
Collaboration as a catalyst for healing
Beyond fostering teamwork, collaboration can be a powerful field for integrating past trauma:
Shared experience: Working together towards a common goal creates a sense of community and belonging. This can be particularly beneficial for those who have experienced isolation due to trauma. Sharing the challenges and successes of working together can foster a sense of connection and shared purpose.
Building trust: Positive collaborative experiences help us. When colleagues consistently show up for each other, offer support, and celebrate successes together, trust builds. This fosters a sense of safety and security, allowing individuals to be more vulnerable and authentic in their interactions.
Increased self-awareness: Working with others can act as a mirror, reflecting back our own triggers and communication styles. For example, someone who shuts down during conflict might realise this behaviour stems from a fear of rejection experienced in childhood. This self-awareness is the first step towards healing and growth. In the best of cases, the conflict and collaboration culture in an organisation supports such development through proactively offering learning spaces like coaching or mediation. By collaborating with supportive colleagues, individuals can explore more constructive ways of interacting.
Building a trauma-informed workplace: Tools and practices
Creating a trauma-informed workplace is an ambitious journey. The many levels of change needed to build an organisation that incorporates the inner work required for a conscious approach to trauma, are described in depth by Joana Breidenbach and Bettina Rollow (Breidenbach, J. and Rollow, B. 2023: Die entfaltete Organisation).
Here are some concrete first tips and tools to get you started:
Individual reflection: Journaling is a powerful starter tool for self-discovery. Reflect on your triggers and communication styles. Consider prompts like: “How did I learn to deal with conflict in my family?” "How do I typically react to stress?" or "What kind of communication makes me feel unsafe?"
Coaching for employees: Encouraging self-reflection of employees by supporting their development through trauma-informed coaching may be considered.
Mindfulness practices: Techniques like meditation or deep breathing can help regulate the nervous system and improve emotional awareness.
Open communication starters: Consider incorporating check-ins during meetings, where colleagues can share how they are feeling about a project or task. Simple questions like "Is there anything I can do to support you?" or "Does anyone feel unheard or unseen right now?" can open the door for honest communication.
Team-building activities: Activities that promote trust and collaboration can be a powerful tool for building a trauma-informed workplace. There are many resources available online and through team-building facilitators.
Trauma-informed approaches are still evolving and there can be challenges to consider, such as:
Focus on individual healing vs. accountability: Trauma-informed approaches aim to support individuals, but it is important to balance this with accountability for one's actions.
Confidentiality vs. transparency: Creating a safe space for vulnerability is important, but there may be situations where certain information needs to be shared with the team or manager. Clear boundaries and expectations are important.
Overreliance on trauma as an explanation: While trauma can play a significant role, it is not the only factor that can impact behaviour. It is important to consider the whole context of a situation.
These are just some of the considerations to keep in mind when implementing a trauma-informed approach in the workplace.
Bibliography
Mate, G. 2004: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress.
Hübl, T. 2023: Attuned. Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma - and Our World.
Breidenbach, J. and Rollow, B. 2023: Die entfaltete Organisation.
