Trauma Leadership · Issue August 21, 2026

Culture and Context Belong in Leadership Decisions

By Dr. Veronica Y. Griffin, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, CCTP

A policy can affect people differently depending on language, identity, disability, history, and access to resources. Leaders can ask whose experience is missing from a decision before treating one approach as equally workable for everyone.

When planning training, consider accessibility, scheduling, and whether examples reflect the people served. Invite feedback without asking one employee to represent an entire community. Review concerns with the relevant subject experts and communicate what you can change.

Research connection

SAMHSA identifies safety, transparency, peer support, collaboration, choice, and cultural responsiveness. These principles guide the suggested leadership practice. [1]

Put it into practice

Choose an upcoming policy or event. Ask who may face an avoidable barrier and how you will learn from them respectfully. Document an adjustment and seek feedback after implementation.

Reference

[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication SMA 14-4884.

Practice suggestions are editorial applications; the cited source has not tested this exact exercise.