This paper explores the nexus between childhood trauma and the emergence of leadership. While it is easy to highlight the negative effects and outcomes of childhood trauma, the positive outcomes in later adulthood are often overlooked or misattributed especially in the area of leadership. Charting the course of selected leaders—who, through a history of childhood trauma and survival later in life have emerged as leaders in their respective fields—this paper showcases the need for more study on the links between childhood trauma and leadership. While in the case of childhood trauma, prevention might be optimal, this paper also explores the necessary discussion about the aftermath of childhood abuse, especially in adulthood with respect to leadership.
KeywordsChildhood TraumaNexusLeadership
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