At the 2024 HR World Summit, Susan J. Schmitt Winchester, author of Healing at Work and former CHRO of Applied Materials and Rockwell, delivered a keynote that resonated deeply with HR leaders and executives. Her insights, drawn from her own experiences and decades in leadership roles, shed light on how unresolved past experiences often shape workplace behaviours. Her vision of the workplace as a space for emotional healing and professional growth continues to inspire the 2025 HR World Summit.
While Susan won’t be physically present at the 2025 HR World Summit in Lisbon, her message remains a guiding force for the event’s focus on well-being and leadership. With themes like resilience, mental health, and empathy in leadership taking centre stage, her insights continue to provide a foundational perspective for shaping healthier, more productive workplaces.
The Hidden Cost of Trauma in the Workplace
“I didn’t realize for many years that my career accomplishments were fueled by an underlying belief that I wasn’t good enough. It’s a destructive way to live a career,” Susan shared, recounting her journey of self-discovery and healing.
Susan introduced the audience to the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—significant, often traumatic, events during childhood that can have lasting effects on emotional and professional lives. She revealed that two-thirds of adults have experienced at least one ACE, with 40% experiencing two or more. These experiences often manifest in behaviours like people-pleasing, overwork, or imposter syndrome, creating what she termed the unconscious wounded career path.
“Many of us are showing up at work completely unaware of how past forces influence us every day in ways that aren’t always useful or helpful,” Susan explained. “The workplace can become a laboratory for emotional healing if we let it.”
Bumper Car Moments: Turning Conflict into Growth
Susan described workplace conflicts—bumper car moments—as opportunities for self-awareness and emotional growth. These moments, which often feel like emotional collisions, allow one to reflect on personal triggers and limiting beliefs.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was that my reactions to workplace conflict weren’t just about the present. They were often echoes of past experiences, amplified by old fears and insecurities,” she said.
Susan shared a pivotal example of how she reframed a problematic relationship with a colleague, moving from fear to assertiveness.
“Everything shifted when I stopped blaming them and took accountability for my part. I realized I was showing up as a ‘puppy dog,’ always seeking approval, while they were showing up as a ‘grizzly bear.’ That awareness changed everything.”
The Power of Self-Awareness and Neuroplasticity
A central theme of Susan’s keynote was the transformative power of self-awareness. By recognizing how past experiences shape behaviours, individuals can begin to rewire their neural pathways—a process enabled by neuroplasticity.
“Damaged is not doomed,” Susan said emphatically. “Through awareness and practice, we can break free from limiting beliefs and create a new narrative for ourselves.”
Coupled with tools from positive psychology, such as gratitude and focusing on strengths, this approach empowers individuals to navigate challenges with resilience and confidence.
Looking Ahead:
The HR World Summit 2025 in Lisbon promises to be a transformative experience for HR leaders and business executives. While Susan J. Schmitt Winchester won’t be on stage, her powerful themes of emotional healing, self-awareness, and leadership empathy will resonate throughout the event. This year’s summit builds on her message, focusing on fostering cultures of well-being and resilient leadership and addressing the pressing mental health challenges in today’s workplaces.
The 2025 program features a stellar lineup of thought leaders, well-being experts, and HR innovators sharing actionable strategies to create thriving organizations. Interactive workshops will equip attendees with tools to enhance resilience, boost self-awareness, and drive cultural transformation, empowering participants to bring meaningful change to their teams and workplaces.
With over 600 attendees, this dynamic event offers unmatched opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate with peers from around the globe. As workplace well-being continues to shape the future of HR, the HR World Summit 2025 is your chance to stay ahead of the curve and redefine what’s possible in organizational health and performance. \
Susan J. Schmitt Winchester’s 2024 keynote reminded us that workplaces can be more than spaces for productivity—they can be catalysts for healing and growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to continue the conversation, gain valuable insights, and improve your organization. Join us in Lisbon to shape the future of work.
📅 Register today to secure your place at the 2025 HR World Summit
