Lisa Kuzman
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There is a HUGE gap in education about trauma AND how to lead effectively! ⋙ ESPECIALLY for change makers.
I’m here to fix that because there’s a better way that serves ALL OF US!
Modern leadership
Are you tired of trying to fit yourself into a model of leadership that feels stifling, inauthentic, or just kinda icky?
Discover a new way to think about your leadership style in this Better Than A Buzzfeed quiz!
Language matters!
Misinformation sucks AND it’s hard to avoid in a rapidly changing world.
Learn the difference between “trauma aware”, “trauma sensitive” and “trauma informed” - and get alerted when things shift!
Leaders, you're not alone.
Yes, I’m talking to you!
Managers overwhelmed by the mounting volume of responsibility.
Healthcare Providers struggling with compassion fatigue and burnout.
Business Owners who survived COVID-19 but can’t take the hit of a recession.
Creatives searching in vain for sparks of inspiration and hope.
Coaches no longer disillusioned with the toxic positivity of the personal development industry.
[Insert your name here] watching the world crumble and not knowing what the f*uck to do.
Your humanity is showing - and it’s ok.
I see you, I hear you, and oh, boy, am I in it with you.
It’s OK to not be ok...
But this might be the only place you’ll hear it. So I’ll say it again:
It’s ok to not be ok!
Having feels - and struggling - is a part of being human.
but
We live in a world where 98% of people dismiss the very real impacts of grief, loss, and trauma - leaving you to believe there is something wrong with you if you’re not ok.
I call bullshit.
Difficulty moving through the tough stuff is NORMAL.
It happens to everyone ESPECIALLY leaders - and while we may be heroes we are not superhuman.
Your humanity is valid and the people you lead need to see your humanity…..even if it’s scary AF.
how do we show our humanity?!
By recognizing:
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Expressing emotions is a normal part of the human experience.
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Ignoring our needs blocks post-traumatic healing and growth. (Yikes.)
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There are infinite ways to approach leadership and everyone has their own unique style.
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Easy peasy right?! Well….it can be BUT this pathway of leadership isn’t for the faint of heart.
It requires a willingness to forge a new way - to show others what’s possible.
And in doing so you will
★ Lead with self compassion.
★ Create systemic change from the inside out.
★ Honor your humanity and the humanity of those you serve.
The best part? All you need to get started is bravery - which you’ve already got (hey-o!).
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READY!
Trauma Certification program
And it’s designed for change-makers who crave a new way to lead!
New wave leadership approaches combined with skill development, and trauma education will give you the confidence you need to let your humanity shine through.
When I say “shine through”, I mean:
✓ Allowing people to see the real you, quirks and all.
✓ Moving through when you’re not ok instead of shutting down and compartmentalizing.
✓ Knowing how to be with yourself and others when the tough stuff hits hard.
✓ Finding and embracing your unique leadership style (talk about liberating)!
WHAT MY STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY
(and no, I didn’t twist their arms!)
READY gave me the tools I needed to hold myself more compassionately as a leader and infuse a trauma-informed lens into how I lead. As a former psychotherapist, I’m acutely aware of how trauma, grief, and loss impact our human experience, but Lisa’s mentorship took that one step further into how this can also shape policy, protocol, and community culture. With an ever-present DEI lens I felt supported in being present to the way cultural events impact me and my clients and how we can in turn show up for one another more fully. Lisa did an impeccable job creating a powerful container for us to learn while still staying on task. Finding programs and mentors where there is space for everything to be present and everyone to belong is a priceless gift!! Simply being a part of this community allowed me to strengthen my ability to truly lean in & love up on myself. Highly recommend!
Megan hale
“Learning how to work through trauma, integrate myself into my leadership and how to lead myself and others without re-traumatizing myself was one of the best things I gained from the program. Lisa is the living embodiment of her work, and the discussions we had as a collective reached depths that I’ve never experienced elsewhere (and I’ve been in a lottttt of group programs!) But what I cherished the most was witnessing trauma-sensitive leadership in action from every single human in this experience. Ever so grateful to have been a part of READY!”
Mai-kee tsang
Advocating for native communities across the country can sometimes feel like a heavy task because of historical and generational trauma. I myself have experienced trauma and so have my people. Applying a trauma lens helps us better understand one another and creates trust. Understanding the way trauma impacts me and those around me has helped me become a better leader. I’m thankful to have found a sense of camaraderie within the program - we all learned so much from each other.
Onna Lebeau
Lisa is amazing and you’re in such great hands. She is open, honest and an incredible teacher. She is always willing to learn and create a safe space for all who enter. It’s been such an honor to work with her!
Yasmin Shawamreh aka Mama Yaya
“Lisa helped me better understand how my history of trauma shows up in my work and how to keep it from holding me back in business!”
Kaveeta Ajwani
"It feels so good to know that it's not on our shoulders to address trauma as leaders. We don't have to take that on and yet, it is important to honor what people are going through and point them towards getting support if needed. What a relief!"
Mickey Mackaben
READY transformed my life so much. This work lives and grows within you. Even after the program ended what I learned became relative in different aspects of my life. One of the greatest benefits for me was learning to recognize when I’m in a trauma response. That level of facility over my own thoughts and feelings has been incredible. You will come back to what you learn time and time again in different ways that you may not expect during the program.
Jillian Lindsey
It’s nice to have a framework of leadership where we don’t have to cut off parts of ourselves. We’ve often been taught that certain pieces of who we are are bad, wrong, or unacceptable. Trauma informed leadership allows us to be our whole self while accepting others in the same way. This can be very difficult to do when there have been past consequences - and the fear of what might happen is a big barrier to showing up in our full humanity.
Katherine Creighton Crook
"The word trauma and its effects can be so frightening. In your program I acknowledged that some of my life experiences were traumatic and it shifted my perspective. Understanding them gave me a nice little intellectual box to restructure how I view them. It also gave me the ability to pass that knowledge on, which is exciting because a lot of us discount our experiences and overlook the fact that they may have had a long-lasting impact on us."
Dominique Van Hoof
READY! Certified leaders Will
• Learn how trauma has impacted YOU - and let it support your leadership rather than block your power.
• Embrace the full range of emotion- and role model that being human creates connection.
• Create communities of belonging - where everyone is welcome AND included.
• Change systems that are no longer working - and minimize harm for all involved.
• Add a trauma informed lens to all your leadership decisions.
Is Ready! Right for You?
• Do you want immediately actionable steps to support yourself and those you serve?
• Are you committed to reducing the shame and stigma associated with grief, loss, and trauma?
• Do you want everyone you lead to feel safe and comfortable working with you?
• Do you have a sneaking suspicion your past experiences are getting in the way of your impact as a leader?
• Are you prepared to confront complex topics like inequality, discrimination and abuse of power in your leadership?
(Because details are important)
READY certification INCLUDES
EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP
Chose between two certification paths:
Meet weekly over the course of 9 months
Attend an immersive in-person retreat
Private individual coaching sessions outside of group education classes
Bonus content from paid guest experts
Lifetime access to the program portal - with replays, class materials, and more!
Private FB Group - for questions and connection outside of class.
The cost of the program, including payment options, is located in the FAQ below.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION INFORMED CONTENT
Dr. Nicole R. Robinson of Cultural Connections by Design provided oversight as my diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant to support me in creating the program curriculum.
Need CCE THROUGH ICF?
The newly updated READY curriculum is pending approval through The International Coaches Federation. We anticipate the program will be approved for 40 hours of CCE for certified ICF coaches looking to renew their credentials.
READY! Program Curriculum
▼ Section 1: Understanding Grief, Loss & Trauma
- Welcome, Expectations & Introductions
- Grief, Loss & Mourning
- What is Trauma
- Trauma Impacts on the Brain & Body
- Pathways of Healing
- Holding Space for Suffering
▼ Section 2: Creating Communities of Belonging
- Understanding Power
- Systems of Oppression
- Learning & Unlearning
- How to Creating Communities of Belonging
- Using Positions of Power to Create Change
▼ Section 3: Creating Your Unique Leadeship Style
- Understanding Your Personality
- Identifying Your Leadership Style
- Managing Capacity Based on Your Unique Needs
- How to Move Through When You’re Not OK
- Identifying How Your Life Experiences Impact Your Leadership
▼ Section 4: Trauma Informed Leadership Practices
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Boundaries
- Providing Psychological Safety
- Understanding Pitfalls of Power
Frequently Asked Questions
▼ How long is the program?
READY has two certification paths, a virtual 9 month program or an immersive week long in person retreat.
▼ Are there any pre-requisites?
Yes, you need to have the willingness and/or ability to enter or re-enter therapy if this program brings up stuff you didn’t see coming. Additionally you need to be able to acknowledge that systems of oppression are real.
▼ Is this in-person or virtual training?
The virtual training is taught live via Zoom with a max of 20 participants. The in-person immersive retreat will be 5-10 people depending on location and venue.
▼ How much does it cost?
The cost of READY certification is currently under review. Once a new cohort of virtual or in-person trainings is opened the price and payment plan will be listed here.
▼ What if I've experienced financial hardship?
If you are certian that this program is the right fit for you but can not afford the program fee and/or the payment plans are outside your means please email me directly at lisa@lisakuzman.com
▼ What if I'm not a leader or in a leadership role?
I believe that all people not only have leadership capasity but are intrinsically able to lead. You do not need to identify as a leader, be in a leadership role or hold a position of power to join this program. The world needs you and your unique approach to leadership.
READY Leaders will:
Expand Leadership Consciousness: By accepting that we become better leaders through expanding our knowledge of self and understanding how our life experiences impact our leadership - and by setting this example, we inspire others to do the same.
Create Human First Culture: by recognizing that people are constantly dealing with stuff and in doing so, we create a culture where it’s OK to NOT be OK and everyone’s humanity is acknowledged
Use Compassion to Enhance Productivity: By believing that people are more productive and create higher quality work when treated with empathy, compassion, respect and feel a sense of belonging.
Been there done that with group training programs OR
want one-on-one support instead!?!
Look no further!
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Lisa Kuzman
BA, MSW, LISW, CCTP
I am a trauma informed consultant, educator and coach for individuals and organizations. I have 20+ years of experience as a mental health professional and coach.
I completed both my undergraduate degree in psychology (2005) and master's in social work (2007) at the University of Iowa. I am a licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical trauma professional, certified life coach, and am trained in Celtic Shamanism.
In my social work career, I worked in non-profit hospice, retirement communities, and within the VA Health Care System. I've always been fascinated by human resilience, hope, and healing.
I am a white, cis, straight passing human with PTSD and ADHD. In addition to my education, I draw from my own traumatic experiences to support and educate others. I live on stolen Lakota land in the Black Hills of South Dakota with my handsome husband and golden retriever. I love spicy food, craft beer, Audible, and being active outside, and I am inclined to say yes to anything that sounds like an adventure.
I believe we can simultaneously live our “best life” while changing the world. That being trauma aware is a leadership act. That creating safe spaces requires being safe within oneself. And most importantly that all people deserve to have equal human rights and to be treated with dignity and respect.
