IT Trauma Is a Leadership Problem: Perspectives from Thrive-IT Founder D.J. Eshelman

Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 5:34 pm

IT Trauma: A Leadership Crisis in the Tech World

The tech industry, known for its focus on efficiency and measurable results, is facing a hidden crisis: the psychological toll on its workforce. According to D.J. Eshelman, founder of Thrive-IT and an expert in IT leadership, the constant pressure of change, including layoffs and technological disruptions, is creating a cycle of stress and trauma within technical teams.

Eshelman argues that the root cause of this issue lies in leadership failures. Companies often reorganize or automate without adequately supporting their teams, leading to increased workloads and stress. Poor decision-making, unclear accountability, and leaders promoted for technical skills rather than people management exacerbate these problems. This environment can lead to burnout, reduced productivity, and increased employee attrition.

The impact of these issues is significant. Eshelman highlights the rising rates of stress-related issues among working-age adults, emphasizing that the tech industry is not immune. He stresses that environments that isolate, blame, or neglect employees can cause long-term career damage.

Eshelman proposes a solution: investing in human systems and leadership development. He advocates for creating environments where employees choose to stay, emphasizing the importance of investing in human skills alongside technical ones. This includes providing formal leadership training, utilizing tools like communication assessments and feedback mechanisms, and creating development plans for frontline leaders. He also suggests reframing disruptions as opportunities for growth and reassessment.

Eshelman's approach also involves applying leadership principles to technical challenges, such as addressing technical debt through improved delegation and clear ownership. He believes that by fostering open communication, providing structured feedback, and treating mistakes as learning opportunities, organizations can break the cycle of trauma and build more resilient teams.

BNN's Perspective:

While the focus on employee well-being is commendable, the solutions presented require a significant investment in leadership training and cultural shifts. It's a complex issue, and the success of these strategies will depend on the willingness of organizations to prioritize people over short-term gains.

Keywords: IT trauma, leadership, tech industry, employee stress, burnout, layoffs, organizational change, leadership development, human skills, technical debt, D.J. Eshelman, Thrive-IT, employee attrition, stress management, leadership training

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