Interpersonal Skills for Portfolio, Program, and Project Managers

Critical Incidents: Coping with Traumatic Events

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A critical incident is a painful or traumatic event that is outside the range of normal day-to-day events and involves some component of loss or harm. The event elicits a variety of emotions in the individuals involved, including grief, shock, fear, confusion, or numbness. Examples of critical incidents include the death or sudden illness of a team member, violence in the workplace, the experience of surviving a natural disaster, or being the victim of domestic violence (Herman 1992). Less obvious events, such as the firing of a valued team member, extensive company layoffs, client or supplier delays, negotiation issues, taxation problems, or regulatory compliance dilemmas also can be critical ...