Trauma changes the brain, but it doesn’t have to destroy our sense of meaning or our ability to lead. Drawing on evidence from neuroscience, leadership psychology, and coaching theory, this session introduces the concept of “trauma as fuel”: the ability to transform painful pasts into sources of strength, clarity, and resilience. Attendees will explore the difference between unresolved trauma and post-traumatic growth. We’ll examine how leaders can normalize conversations about difficulty while cultivating gratitude, vulnerability, and compassion. Trauma-informed leadership can also reduce turnover, improve communication, and unlock untapped potential in teams.

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Areas Covered 

Who Should Attend

Why Should You Attend 

Do you ever feel stuck in your story, haunted by events that changed everything? Are your team members disengaged or struggling in silence? Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) may be sapping your organization’s creativity and collaboration without you even knowing it. By ignoring trauma or brushing it under the rug, you risk burnout, disconnection, and missed opportunities for insight and growth. But what if there’s another way? In this session, we’ll explore how trauma, when properly recognized and processed, can lead to enhanced self-awareness, gratitude, and purpose. Participants will learn how to recognize trauma-informed behavior, reframe their responses, and use lived experience as fuel for positive transformation. Learn how to lead and live more fully—because hiding pain doesn’t heal it, but harnessing it can. 

Topic Background

Many of us experience trauma in our lives, whether through loss, conflict, health challenges, or social upheaval. While trauma often causes pain, it can also act as a catalyst for transformation, deeper empathy, and personal growth. This talk explores how post-traumatic awareness, when approached intentionally, can fuel meaningful change in ourselves and in our workplaces.