On the second episode of Superpowers at Work, trauma expert Katharine Manning joins host Sissy Siero to unpack invaluable insights on creating a trauma-informed workplace. With over 25 years of experience in trauma, including guiding the justice department through responses to historic cases like The Boston Marathon Bombing and the Larry Nassar trial, Manning's expertise sheds light on building a compassionate and empathetic workplace culture.

Katharine Manning's journey into trauma-informed work began in the realm of crime victims. She realized that regardless of the nature of the trauma, everyone needs to be acknowledged as a victim and offered referrals to resources. The epiphany came when a coworker stormed into her office after being belittled by their boss in a meeting. 

She says, “He was so embarrassed and angry, and he was pacing back and forth in front of my desk and talking really, really fast and kind of venting.  I just started to realize that these issues of trauma are much more widespread. It’s not just in the criminal system that we're working with people in trauma. We are all around us all the time.”

Manning also emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma at work from a business perspective. She arms herself with statistics and data to showcase the cost of unaddressed trauma on various workplace metrics, including turnover, engagement, productivity, and psychological safety. By presenting a strong business case, Manning encourages organizational leaders to recognize the urgency of creating a trauma-informed culture.

Empathetic and compassionate leadership are vital components of a trauma-informed workplace. Manning distinguishes between empathy and compassion, noting that empathy is about understanding, while compassion involves taking action to help. She shares examples of leaders who exhibited both qualities effectively, emphasizing that showing genuine concern and providing a supportive space can make a profound difference in employee well-being and engagement.

Two key concepts, institutional betrayal and psychological safety, stand out in creating a trauma-informed workplace.  Manning explains, “Psychological safety is what happens when you get it right. So you have an organization that has a great culture where people feel comfortable coming forward and talking about what they're experiencing, and then the reaction is what they would want and hope for. So there's transparency, there is support offered. People understand what's going on; their expectations are met.” While on the flip side, institutional betrayal occurs when an organization fails to provide the expected support and protection, exacerbating the initial trauma. 

Psychological safety is essential for a strong, supportive, and productive workplace. Manning notes that “it builds trust and it builds ethical behavior, better communication, more creativity, less turnover …all comes out of psychological safety. So that's why it's so important, the ways that we respond to people during these periods of trauma, of upheaval, of distress, regardless of which way you go, if it's a positive outcome or a negative one, that is going to have a long-term effect on the individual and on the organization.”

Manning introduces listeners to the "Laser Method" - a five-step framework to effectively support colleagues experiencing trauma. The steps are Listen, Acknowledge, Share Information, Empower, and Return to the Person and Yourself. This method emphasizes active listening, offering information, empowering the individual, and ensuring self-care for those providing support. The method recognizes that trauma affects individuals differently, and their ability to perform is the key consideration.

Katharine Manning's insights underscore the critical importance of acknowledging trauma in the workplace and fostering a culture of empathy and compassion. Her approach emphasizes the need to prioritize self-care while supporting colleagues through their experiences. By implementing the Laser Method and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, organizations can create a transformative environment that supports employees' well-being, enhances engagement, and fosters positive workplace outcomes. 

As we navigate the complexities of trauma, it is our collective responsibility to build workplaces where every individual feels valued and heard. Together, we can prioritize our collective well-being, foster empathy, and create a workplace culture where every voice is valued.

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