Saving The Leader Within: The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Leadership

by Ed.D Doreen Cato

Doreen cato told me she was exploring the role of childhood trauma on leadership, and shared the story about her grandmother, who in 1932 was cruelly institutionalized for 32 years. Her grandmother was sane when committed, simply for imitating a man to work in a factory to feed her five children. I knew it was trust allowing me to see beneath the surface of a very introspective and brave person. Reading Dr. Cato's manuscript as she prepared it for publication was, in some ways, a great relief. In presenting one painful episode after another, it was heartbreaking, but it was also genuine, insightful, hopeful, and inspiring - because it made clear how healing paths can be found in the midst of great suffering and despair. Leaders and survivors of childhood trauma will come to understand, appreciate, and rely on strengths nurturing their capacity for hope and strength in others. This is a very helpful perspective on both trauma and leadership, and it is something that Dr. Cato understands very well.

232 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2011

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 1 out of 5]

The good: This book offers insight into some of our nation's great leaders and the way that trauma/struggle shaped their lives. It paints an extremely hopeful picture for survivors.

The bad: The book was poorly edited/proof read, which is incredibly distracting from the content at times. It is also very autobiographical, and while the author's narrative is compelling at times, it isn't nearly as intriguing as the examples from famous leaders.