ABSTRACT
Similar to an individual who has experienced a traumatic event, organizations can experience trauma in the form of harmful policies, siloed and exclusive cultural dynamics, and toxic personalities. This chapter highlights the process for navigating organizational trauma as a part of the evaluation procedure including (1) developing a shared language for communication and feedback via cultural humility training, (2) utilizing a mixed methods approach for evaluation (e.g., surveys, focus groups, and working sessions), (3) incorporating a participant/observer approach to evaluation, and (4) soliciting ongoing feedback about the process and outcomes. This chapter also discusses the role of culture in navigating a meaningful evaluation process when significant cultural differences exist between the evaluator and individuals that make up the organization.
