Heather Grunkemeier on Balancing Empathy and Well-Being as a Trust & Safety Professional

Click to Trust

How can Trust and Safety professionals navigate promoting online safety and mitigating real world harms while also maintaining their own well-being?

In today’s episode of Click to Trust, we are joined by Heather Grunkemeier, Founder of Twinkle LLC and a seasoned Trust and Safety leader, who shares her personal journey through the highs and lows of working in this space. Heather discusses the mental health challenges faced by professionals in Trust and Safety and the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout. Drawing from her own experience, she provides invaluable advice on creating a sustainable work-life balance and the tools that have helped her along the way, including finding support in peers, prioritizing self-care, and asking the right questions in job interviews.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Mental Health in Trust and Safety: Heather discusses how the emotional toll of managing incidents in Trust and Safety can affect mental health and the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout before it’s too late.
2. Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care: Discover how creating boundaries within the workplace and permitting yourself to take breaks is essential to long-term success and well-being.
3. Building a Supportive Network: Heather shares how connecting with others in the Trust and Safety community can provide the support needed to handle difficult situations and avoid isolation.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heather Grunkemeier
(02:00) Heather’s journey into Trust & Safety
(05:00) Personal burnout: The toll of overachieving in tech
(09:25) The emotional and mental impact of Trust & Safety roles
(12:40) How balance boundaries and protect mental health in T&S
(16:00) The importance of boundary-setting for T&S professionals
(19:30) How companies can better support Trust & Safety teams
(23:45) Heather’s advice for new professionals in Trust & Safety
(28:15) Leading with compassion in Trust & Safety
(35:10) Heather’s consulting venture and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs