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Facilitating Safety, Fostering Growth

The holidays often arrive wrapped in warmth and hope, yet for many people, especially those in caregiving roles, they also bring a quiet heaviness. Connection and reflection sit right alongside exhaustion. The pressure to meet year-end deadlines, support others emotionally, and show up for family can leave even the most grounded among us feeling worn down. Not long ago, someone told me: “I spend my days caring for others and caring for animals… but by the time I get home, I’m

Yesterday, I had the privilege of facilitating the New York State Division of Employment and Income Support Programs (EISP)  Staff Development Day in Albany. Under the inspiring leadership of Deputy Commissioner Valerie Figueroa, nearly 300 dedicated staff gathered in one room. The atmosphere was energized, hopeful, and deeply committed to strengthening the way this division serves New Yorkers. Our purpose for the day was both simple and powerful: to reinforce cross-bureau co

For years, organizations have treated leadership as a business function focused on performance, productivity, and results. But the data tells a much more urgent story: leadership is a public health issue. Workplace stress is now linked to over 120,000 deaths each year in the United States  and contributes to billions in healthcare costs and lost productivity. These are not abstract numbers. They represent real people whose health is directly shaped by how leaders show up ever

As we pause this Veterans Day to honor the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who have served, it is also important to consider an often overlooked dimension of service: the invisible wounds of combat and the challenges of transitioning into civilian and workplace life. At Silver Linings International, we believe that true appreciation for veterans includes creating workplaces that recognize trauma, support resilience, and foster growth. Many veterans return from ser

Over the past two days, we wrapped up our Cultivating Emotional Intelligence  course with the Jacksonville Partnership for Child Health  and I’m leaving both inspired and deeply grateful. What made this experience so meaningful was not just the curriculum itself. It was watching an entire team lean into the work together with intention and openness. Emotional intelligence is not a “nice to have.” It is the foundation of a healthy, trauma aware, and compassionate workplace cul

One of the greatest gifts we can offer in supervision is genuine curiosity. Not to fix. Not to control. But to understand. Curiosity is the heartbeat of meaningful leadership. It reminds us that connection comes not from having the answers, but from asking the right questions with openness and respect. Cultural humility takes that idea one step further. It acknowledges that we never fully “arrive” in our understanding of others. Instead, it calls us into a lifelong practice o

I just wrapped up a strategic planning session in North Carolina with a small but mighty group working on youth suicide prevention and awareness . It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." This group truly embodied that spirit. They came together with deep commitment and compassion not with all the answers, but with a shared p

I’ve been thinking a lot about strategic planning lately. Over the years, I’ve facilitated planning sessions with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies, and I keep seeing the same thing happen. Every year, teams pour hours into retreats filled with sticky notes, big ideas, and good intentions. Everyone leaves inspired… and then nothing changes. The cycle usually breaks down in familiar ways. Too often, teams jump straight into goal setting before

Each October, ADHD Awareness Month invites us to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of children and adults worldwide, yet misconceptions and stigma persist. Too often, ADHD is misunderstood as simple distraction or restlessness. In truth, it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, impulse control, and regulation, traits that can present both challenges and strengths across the lifespan. Aw

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of spending the day in Jacksonville, FL with the incredible team at the Partnership for Child Health , leading a training on Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing . The energy in the room was remarkable, with professionals deeply committed to supporting youth and young adults navigating some of life’s toughest challenges. Their openness and dedication reminded me why this work matters so deeply. Motivational Interviewing (MI) by its

Systems aren’t always designed to support the real needs of employees. The workload, the pace, the emotional toll — 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆. 🔥 Leaders are left navigating this pressure while still being expected to show up strong and support their teams. That’s no small task. At Silver Linings International, we understand that sustainable leadership starts with being trauma-informed. Our Trauma-Informed Supervision courses  equip le

Last Friday, I had the privilege of presenting “The Weight We Carry: Building Staff Resilience Through Trauma-Informed Practice”  at the Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester Summit , a space filled with some of the most compassionate and resilient professionals I know. Those who work in domestic violence services carry more than caseloads and calendars; they carry stories , grief , hope , and the profound weight of emotional labor and moral distress. Emotional

We are so happy to be working with the NW Ohio Trauma-Informed Care Collaborative  as they take the next step in their journey through...

Turnover is often viewed as just part of doing business, but it is more than a staffing challenge. It is a symptom of deeper...

What if supervision could be more than schedules, check-ins, and performance reviews? What if it could be the very thing that inspires...

Facilitation often seems simple: ask questions, open discussion, keep things moving. But the real challenge comes when a group includes...

In every organization, a strong core team is more than just a group of capable people. It is the foundation for safety, trust, and shared...

We need your  help in getting the word out! To make the 2025 Willow Way Summit  a success, we are asking our partners, colleagues, and...

Compassion fatigue  is often called the “cost of caring.” It is the emotional, physical, and psychological exhaustion that develops when...

Stepping into a leadership role, especially within the same organization where you were once a peer, can feel both exciting and delicate....