“In general, only a child who feels safe dares to grow forward healthily. His safety needs must be gratified. He can’t be pushed ahead, because the ungratified safety needs will remain forever underground, always calling for satisfaction.” Abraham Maslow

Overview:

In my recent podcast episodes, I shared the importance of certain conditions and conversations that keep people out of what Adler called the inferiority complex and the resulting uninterrupted struggles within and between people. I shared how we need to help one another build courage and motivation from the inside out. I shared why the fostering of personal responsibility, social interest and emotional intelligence on a regular basis and for everyone, without exception, is crucial. Consistency and breaking down outdated imbalances of power are key to creating further experiences that support healing and regeneration on every level, especially as we go through traumatic circumstances.

Questions to Ponder:

What does trauma-informed mean and why is it important to consider especially in recent times and as we move into the future? What is the power distance index and how does this fit into our discussion on creating trauma-informed, supportive conditions? What exactly are technohuman ecosystems and why should we be excited to understand and embrace them?

Episode Guest: Jacob Perkins

Jacob Perkins is an empathizing and systemizing transdisciplinary practitioner with over a decade serving across human service systems. He has an eclectic background, including an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis and training and research in clinical practice, transdisciplinary science, and globalization. You can find him serving passionately in the Emergency Room, advising emerging practitioners, conducting health research, or pro bono project consulting.

Featured Story:

I had a email from one of my clients the other day that really illustrated this. It was from the COO of a large local healthcare company, who shared an email she sent to her entire team observing the many ways they are rocking the teamwork during Covid19. She shared with me this is happening so extraordinarily because for the past three years, together they have built a highly trauma-informed workplace culture and instituted a technohuman ecosystem, not only with each other but in their technology roles within this 1500 person fast-growing healthcare company.

Keywords: power distance index, trauma-informed, technohuman ecosystems, psychological safety, neuro-diversity

In this episode, we focused on:

Power distance index - PDI is a measurement of the acceptance of a hierarchy of power by individuals who make up the general population of a nation, culture, or business. What was discovered is that fear of questioning or being assertive and open with the captain and in some instances with those manning the control tower, was perceived to be insubordination and to be avoided. Trauma-informed - Understanding and consideration of the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatize. Psychological safety - is being able to show and behave as one's self without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career. Technohuman ecosystems - In this podcast, it's the collaboration of human activities enhanced by some degree of technology. Neuro-diversity - variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions in a non-pathological sense. An example would be to learn of the specialized functioning of certain autistic workers in bringing strengths and unique ways of determining answers through non-conventional neurology. Five requirements for a high-functioning trauma-informed culture, including:

Safety, creating spaces where people feel culturally, emotionally, and physically safe,