GRASO: How to have a liberating, trauma-sensitive conversation at work [Wise Wednesdays]

 This week: a simple but powerful 5-step framework (GRASO) to support trauma-sensitive conversations in the workplace. For leaders, coaches, and anyone navigating emotional intensity in high-stakes environments.

Last week, we touched on what it means to acknowledge and address the layers of trauma present in the workplace, as professionals, leaders, and high achievers. 

I’ve always found that coaching is more powerful when it’s trauma-sensitive (even if not trauma-focused) because it draws on deeper presence and insight — now more than ever.

According to Gallup's Global Workforce Survey 2024, employee disconnection from organisations had already reached an all-time high. It’s compounded by the intensification of uncertainty about future life prospects, job insecurity, and alarming news.

As a reminder, Trauma is an experience of overwhelming fear and aloneness that leaves us feeling powerless. This is why trauma healing involves calming fear, creating connection, and restoring a sense of agency. It’s a profound path of liberation. The term comes from the Ancient Greek meaning ‘wound’.

In the last Wise Wednesday, I shared 6 principles for non-traumatic leadership communication and promised to share specific questions you can try when someone comes to you in a panic.

Here’s a simple template for a liberating, trauma-sensitive conversation:

GRASO

[G]roundThanks for sharing this with me. I’m curious — what’s it like to be you right now dealing with all these responsiblities? 

It’s important to bring warmth, so it feels like spacious attention rather than scrutiny. If they seem unsure, that’s okay — it’s a natural response to being seen more deeply, especially in professional settings where they may be used to performing.

[R]esonateIt sounds like you’re feeling X because of Y e.g. it sounds like you’ re overwhelmed and like a ship in a storm because you don’t have clear guidance from the leadership team.(Check that you’ve understood — don’t assume.)

[A]ffirmWhat I hear is that you really care about X / want Y to work / value Z. Is that true?

[S]tay silent and breathe 

Pause and give space. Often, this is when something deeper reveals itself — what truly matters to them, and why they’re committed to the work. This insight will help you shape the next step together.

[O]pen connection and choiceStart with appreciation: Thank you for bringing this. 

If you have capacity to offer something: What would support you right now?

If you don’t have capacity: Would it be OK to pause the conversation here while we both reflect on what to do next? 

If you have a clear suggestion: Would you be open to [doing X] as a next step?

This way, you’re leading one step at a time: no overpromising and no bypassing the issue. Just simple, trauma-sensitive leadership.

Ideally, make sure they have somewhere to land by letting them know they can come back to you at any time, or that they have someone else to speak with after your conversation. If they need more support, you can arrange for further help or suggest resources. If appropriate, reassure them about the confidentiality of your conversation.

Of course, to be fully trauma-sensitive requires an understanding of power dynamics, systemic factors, and cultural or identity-specific experiences that may shape how people respond to stress and support. For example, High Achievers can struggle with receiving help, especially if they’ve migrated, had to leave behind friends and community, and became hyper-independent to survive.

Liberating, trauma-sensitive leadership isn’t about clever questions, deep insights, or even an inspiring vision. It’s simpler. It’s about calming fear, offering connection, and restoring agency. Then, we can collectively reimagine what’s possible while navigating what’s here. This to me is the wisdom of sensemaking.

The world doesn’t need influencers. It’s the time of liberating sensemakers.

Have a great week,

Amina

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P.P.S. If this resonates, share it with someone who might need it. That’s how Wise Wednesdays grows — through connection, not algorithms :)