Neurodiversity 101
What do a triathlete, a banker, and an executive coach have in common? They are all leaders in their own fields—and they also happen to be neurodiverse people!
In the lunchtime panel jointly organised with UBS Singapore, our Uncommon Ambassadors shared how important it is to be diagnosed and open about learning differences, have supportive parents, and addressed popular misconceptions about neurodiversity.
Sarah, the executive coach, was diagnosed with dyslexia when young. After struggling for years in school, she finally achieved an "A" on a school test, not to meet others’ expectations of her but as a personal best. As for how organisations can create an inclusive and innovative workplace, Sarah said that leaders should lead by example first and create a culture that celebrates differences.
Darren, the triathlete, shared how people would be surprised upon learning that he has learning differences. "You don't look like you have ADHD, autism, etc." was a common reaction. He thinks that media portrayal of autism does not help as the spectrum of autism is wide. Plus, the hyperfocus strength of autism and ADHD helped Darren pursue his goals with tenacity, including gruelling triathlons.
Himanshu, the banker, struggled with ADHD but discovered “hacks” that helped him succeed. He experimented and found that he learned better through podcasts and not reading. His mother was a pillar of support, encouraging him by saying, "Why do you want to be normal? Normal is just average!". Like Darren, Himanshu values kindness at work and it's an important part of his team culture.
Kindness, however, isn't just about being nice. It sometimes means having hard conversations with people and being honest about their strengths and weaknesses.
All in, if the organisation is inclusive, it helps to be upfront about where and how you need help, and highlight where your strengths can be put to better use. It works both ways—good organisations and leaders should be inclusive, provide fair opportunities and find out what people are good at. If the job fit is right, it doesn’t matter if one is neurodivergent or neurotypical.
Thank you UBS Singapore for making these conversations possible.
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