More Human at Work: Trauma, Growth, and What Comes After

Can difficult life experiences radically change how we live and work, and what happens when they do? Welcome to this open lecture by Lasse Lychnell, affiliated researcher at the Stockholm School of Economics. Research on posttraumatic growth shows that people may undergo deep psychological change after events that turn life upside down. They may develop greater self-awareness, deeper empathy, and a clearer sense of what really matters. In a sense, more human. But growth is not the end. It is where the real challenge begins. Living more humanly is hard in a working environment that leaves no room for it. Deadlines, hierarchies, and expectations are necessary, but when they become all there is, it is easy to fall back into old patterns. After introducing the foundations of posttraumatic growth, the lecture turns to results from an ongoing in-depth study of how growth can be integrated into everyday working life. These suggest that while much support exists during trauma, a different kind is needed afterwards: one that joins action and reflection across life and work. We close with a discussion of the implications for individuals and organisations alike. This lecture is for leaders, HR, those who have lived through difficult times, and anyone interested in trauma and growth in working life.