Overview
“We are not just human resources, we are human beings.”
A significant workplace traumatic event can make or break a company depending on how well the employer has prepared for it — at the heart of a successful transition through the crisis is the how well leadership connects with the people most impacted by the trauma. In this interview, Tricia Kagerer, an expert in workplace risk management, shares key steps in helping companies move from “it-will-never-happen-here” mentality to building a responsive plan for crisis.
Crisis can be defined as a time of intense danger or difficulty resulting in substantial emotional disregulation and or radical change of status. At the center of many crises a difficult or important decision is often necessary — this moment becomes a turning point for better or worse in this “seismic event.”
Some crises happen at work like trauma/violence, bullying, or downsizing. Sometimes when people’s identity is what they do, even retirement can feel like a crisis to some. Sometimes crises come to work like when an employee experiences a sudden death, a break with a serious mental health condition, a highly conflictual divorce or a significant illness or injury.
When facing these crises, the response by leadership often makes a critical impact on whether those most affected stay stuck in the crises or move towards post-traumatic growth. Many people exposed to a traumatic event, experience personal growth in the form of:
Appreciation of life
Relationships with others
New possibilities in life
Personal strength
Spiritual change
…even while they are also experiencing the very challenging experiences of trauma. What often makes the difference for those who move toward growth and those who do not is interpersonal communication and connectedness after the trauma.
About Tricia Kagerer
More: https://www.triciakagerer.com/
Tricia is currently the EVP for Risk Management for Jordan Foster Construction in Texas, a large construction organization that performs civil, multifamily and general contracting across Texas. Tricia leads the risk management, safety and leadership efforts.
Previously she served as a Risk Management Executive for American Contractors Insurance Group where she provided risk management and safety consulting services for contractors across the United States. She is an expert on contractual risk transfer, risk financing, wrap‐ups, subcontractor default insurance, claims management, conflict resolution, and safety.
Tricia is a construction industry expert and speaker on various leadership, risk management and safety topics, including crisis management, emergency response best practices, education across cultures, and servant leadership and diversity.
She holds a master’s degree in dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and her bachelor of science in business administration and bachelor of arts in communication—public relations from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Her professional credentials include Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU); Certified Safety Professional (CSP); Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS); Associate in Risk Management (ARM); Associate in Claims Management (AIC); licensed Texas claims representative and commercial agent; and served as a construction panel arbitrator with the AAA.
Tricia is the author of the upcoming book “The B Words; 12 Words Every Woman Must Navigate on the Journey to Self Defined Success” where she highlights challenges and breakthrough strategies for women entering non‐traditional roles in the workplace.
Show Notes
On Posttraumatic Growth
From the American Psychological Association “Growth after trauma; Why are some people more resilient than others—and can it be taught?” (2016)
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/11/growth-trauma
From the Department of Defense: A Review and Application of Posttraumatic Growth for Enhancing the Well-being of Military Service Members and their Families (2017). https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=f2697c32-f5eb-469c-8a13-3c332a15cdde&resType=resSum
On the Human Side of Crisis Management
EHS Today: https://www.ehstoday.com/archive/article/21906016/the-human-side-of-crisis-management
HR Daily Advisor https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2012/10/31/the-human-side-of-crisis-management/
PWC Global https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/advisory/forensics/global-crisis-survey/the-human-side-of-crisis.html
SHRM Crisis Management in Today’s Business Environment: HR’s Strategic Role: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/Documents/1205RQuartpdf.pdf
On Suicide Prevention in Construction
Cal Beyer’s leadership in workplace suicide prevention: https://theactionalliance.org/about/staff/cal-beyer
Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention: https://preventconstructionsuicide.com/
CDC (2018). Suicide Rates by Major Occupational Group: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6745a1.htm
National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention: https://workplacesuicideprevention.com/
Graphic to Share
Please, feel free to share this graphic. All we ask is that you link back to this podcast page.
