About Trace Hobson

Hi—I'm Trace Hobson, and I help healthcare leaders transform toxic teams into thriving, high-performing teams where staff choose to stay, teams excel, and leaders reclaim their impact and peace of mind.

My Journey: From Overwhelmed Leader to Systemic Transformation Expert

Over the last 25 years, I've walked the leadership path most healthcare leaders know all too well. From hands-on team leader to operations executive, I've lived the reality of overwhelming demands and endless pressure:

• The complex systems.
• The safety requirements.
• The union obligations.
• The operational targets that never stop.
• The constant change management rollouts from leadership and government.

You know the story because you're living it too.

On paper, everything looked perfect. My career trajectory pointed upward. My teams hit their metrics. We were the definition of "successful."

But underneath? That success was taking its toll.

Like many leaders, I told myself the sacrifices were temporary. Maybe you know this story too:

"Once we get through this change, this project, this quarter, this year—things will be different."

That day never came. The list only grew longer.

Then the stress fractures started appearing. Despite managing from collective bargaining agreements, following every procedure, and working the long hours, my leaders and I faced the same problems on repeat:

• Stress leaves.
• Disrespectful conduct.
• Performance issues.
• Rising absenteeism.
• Staff shortages.
• Watching people walk away after thousands invested in training.

Our "success" metrics looked good. But the stress? It only escalated.

I had plenty of judgments, but I kept them to myself. That's what "good leaders" do, right? Instead, I doubled down on creating fixes. They worked—temporarily. But they never touched the root of the problem.

The Turning Point

The breaking point came when I was juggling 80-hour workweeks while being a single dad to three teenage daughters. Everything I knew about leadership and parenting—all the strategies that used to work—suddenly didn't. My daughters were navigating complex issues at home. My team was dealing with complex issues at work.

And there I was, caught in the middle, perpetually switching between fight, flight, and freeze.

Here's the truth: My constant busyness, my reactiveness, my drive to fix everything—it all stemmed from one deep fear. I was terrified that I couldn't actually change what needed changing, at home or work. Every repeating problem that resisted my best efforts just reinforced my anxiety and stress. It fed the fear that I didn't have what it took to lead my team or care for my daughters.

Classic imposter syndrome? Sure. But it was more than that. I didn't feel safe—and that created toxic stress for everyone around me.

A New Path Emerges

Then, in 2008, everything changed.

It started with a simple conversation with a friend about my work and home life (okay, I was venting). He mentioned a course in Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy. It was meant for clinical specialists and social workers, but I felt an inexplicable pull to it and managed to enroll.

Everything transformed after that.

I discovered something crucial: My unaddressed reactiveness, anxiety, and systemic distress weren't just affecting my leadership—they were driving it. And they were driving people away from me, both at home and at work.

But here's the breakthrough: Those same systemic patterns that pushed people away? When understood and worked with, they became magnets drawing people closer. Because when people feel safe, something profound happens:

• They trust more.
• They follow naturally.
• They initiate change within themselves.

And suddenly, those "impossible" problems—the ones stuck in endless loops at home, at work, and within complex organizations—they started shifting.

The Transformation

Over the next few years, I immersed myself in learning and personal development:

• Professional Certified Coach (PCC): I became a Professional Certified Coach, specializing in psychological health and safety.
• Systemic Intelligence: I delved deep into systemic intelligence and trauma-informed practices.
• Leadership Integration: I integrated these insights into my executive leadership approach, witnessing remarkable changes in team dynamics and performance.

By 2016, I knew it was time for the next chapter. I left the corporate world to work directly with leaders and teams, developing Safe Space Systemic Coaching specifically for healthcare.

Why This Matters to You

Today, I help healthcare leaders decode the hidden patterns within themselves, their teams, and their organizations (yes, even how these patterns affect their personal lives). These patterns are what drive staff away and keep problems on repeat.

But here's what makes it all worth it: When leaders learn to read these system signals instead of pushing them away, transformation follows naturally:

• Staff choose to stay.
• Teams want to grow.
• Leaders make the difference they longed to make—at work and at home.

Credentials and Qualifications

• 25+ Years of Leadership Experience
  • From team leader to operations executive, I've led teams through some of the most challenging environments.
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
  • Specializing in psychological health and safety in the workplace.
• Expert in Systemic Intelligence and Trauma-Informed Practice
  • Trained in Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy.
• Developer of Safe Space Systemic Coaching
  • A methodology designed specifically for healthcare leaders to transform team dynamics.
• Graduate Researcher
  • Conducting ongoing research on systemic intelligence to continually enhance my practice.

A Personal Note

When I'm not working on my business, you'll find me:

• Mentoring healthcare leaders seeking to make a meaningful impact.
• Traveling and exploring new places to gain fresh perspectives.
• Walking in forests with my partner Amanda and our dogs, reconnecting with nature.

Ready to begin your transformation?

Your team's future shouldn't depend on survival mode. Together, we can create environments where staff choose to stay, teams thrive, and you make the difference you've always envisioned.

👉 Book Your 30-Minute System Reset Session Now

01 Reading System Signals 

Unlock hidden patterns in your team dynamics. Learn to identify and interpret the subtle cues that indicate underlying issues, allowing you to address problems before they escalate.

02 Building Psychological Safety

Create an environment where staff feel safe to express ideas and concerns. Foster trust and open communication to enhance team cohesion and performance.

03 Regulating Stress Responses 

Manage stress effectively in high-pressure healthcare settings. Discover techniques to regulate your nervous system, reducing burnout for yourself and your team.

04 Transforming Team Dynamics

Turn toxic interactions into collaborative relationships. Implement strategies that shift negative patterns and promote a positive, supportive team culture.

05 Retaining Top Talent

Develop a culture that naturally retains high performers. Learn approaches to increase staff engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty to reduce turnover.

06 Leadership Presence & Impact 

Enhance your leadership presence to inspire and influence your team. Become the leader you've always aspired to be by making a meaningful difference in your organization.