Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace With Dr. Lee C. Cordell

Trauma doesn't stay at the office door; it walks in with us every morning. This compelling insight sets the stage for this episode of The People Dividend Podcast, where host Mike Horne sits down with Dr. Lee C. Cordell, a visionary in trauma and psychological safety. Dr. Cordell, who navigates her professional life as a neurodivergent individual and a trauma expert, shares her personal and professional journey, shedding light on the intricate ways trauma influences individuals and, by extension, the organizations they are part of.

Dr. Cordell emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of trauma’s impact. She challenges leaders to cultivate work environments that acknowledge and address the presence of trauma, advocating for the creation of trauma-sensitive spaces where psychological and physical safety are paramount.

Dr. Cordell outlines actionable strategies for fostering such environments, highlighting the importance of choice, belonging, and clear boundaries. Moreover, she delves into the critical role of self-care for leaders, presenting it as a cornerstone for maintaining an effective and compassionate leadership approach.

This episode calls attention to the significance of acknowledging trauma in the workplace and also equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to support their teams more inclusively and compassionately.

• “So it is so important for us as leaders to understand that when people walk into a space with you, they are bringing every single experience that they have had up until that moment into that space. And so they may not be reacting based on what's happening right in front of them. They may be reacting based on something that happened 20, 30, 40 years ago. And so knowing how to respond to that in a way that is kind and compassionate and, well, the word we use is attuned, like you are there with them and you are present with them. That can make all the difference in how that interaction goes.” (12:16 | Dr. Lee C. Cordell)  
• “Trauma responsiveness is, I actually know, I'm equipped and have the skills to be able to tell if this person getting upset has activated or triggered me, and I know how to bring myself back to a more regulated state. And I have the skills to be able to interact with this person in a way that ups the likelihood that they are able to come down and be more regulated as well.” (16:41 | Dr. Lee C. Cordell)
• “For self-care, I simply ask myself in the moment, what do I need from a nurturing perspective? What do I need from a guidance perspective? What do I need from a boundaries perspective? And I just take one to two minutes to really check in with myself.” (40:11 | Dr. Lee C. Cordell)  

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