Traumatic Experiences of Leadership

Facilitated by: Dr. Jennifer Wisdom, & Dr. Nina Nabors

Friday, April 10
2:45pm - 4:15pm CST
Credits Available: 1.5 CE
Instructional Level: Early-Mid Career & Mid-Advanced Career

Leaders face heightened risks compared to non-leaders for traumatic experiences due to their heightened visibility, authority, and job responsibilities; negative actions or hostile behavior toward the leader may result in public embarrassment or pose significant threats to their professional reputation, livelihood, or personal character. This presentation describes traumatic experiences of leadership in the context of organizational theory and intersectional identities. The presenters will (1) define the framework of “traumatic experiences of leadership,” (2) review literature on the topic, (3) present multiple case studies across sectors for discussion; (4) describe assessment and evidence-based interventions, (5) describe areas for further research on the topic, including implementation, and (6) end with a call to action, including soliciting personal commitments from the audience. This program expands upon doctoral-level training by synthesizing clinical (trauma) and organizational (leadership) topics in an innovative, previously uncombined manner. It will help psychologists better serve the public and enhance the profession by facilitating consulting psychologists and psychologist-leaders in identifying and addressing traumatic experiences of leaders. The presenters are licensed clinical psychologists and coeditors of the forthcoming book Traumatic Experiences of Leadership published by the American Psychological Association.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the traumatic experiences of leadership framework and how bullying and harassment impacts leaders differently than it impacts non-leader employees.
2. Compare and contrast coaching, therapeutic, mentoring, and organizational methods for addressing traumatic experiences of leadership.

3. List three opportunities for consulting psychologists to recognize and address traumatic experiences of leadership.