PricklyPear

Building Bridges—Collaborating Effectively with Neurodivergent Colleagues - 90-Minute Workshop Reach out to learn more #neurodiversityatwork #neurodiverse #BuildingBridges #neurodivergent #workshop

Neurodivergent Burnout: A Leader's Journey to Equilibrium As a coach working with neurodivergent leaders, I’ve seen firsthand how burnout doesn’t just impact productivity—it challenges identity, emotional regulation, and the capacity to lead effectively. For those navigating high-stakes leadership roles while managing ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent traits, burnout often manifests uniquely: Cognitive Overload: The brain needs a break, not just the body. Executive function takes a hit, making complex decisions and planning feel insurmountable. Emotional Dysregulation: Masking emotions to "fit in" or "lead well" isn’t the same as emotional regulation. Eventually, it breaks down, impacting relationships and resilience. Inertia Misunderstood: That "stuck" feeling isn’t laziness or procrastination—it’s a system reset. Recognizing and honoring this inertia is key to long-term sustainability. One of the most profound realizations I’ve witnessed is the need for leaders to redefine rest. Rest isn’t always about doing nothing—it’s about finding grounding activities that soothe and reset an overtaxed nervous system. For some, it’s as simple as baking, walking, or gardening. These moments of intentional inertia aren’t a sign of weakness but a step toward equilibrium. As neurodivergent leaders, creating a sustainable leadership style requires: Building self-compassion into the workday. Designing work environments that accommodate cognitive and emotional needs. Challenging productivity guilt to embrace periods of low activity as necessary recalibration. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to lean into the logic of inertia. It’s okay to find your balance, even if that balance looks different from traditional leadership norms. When you embrace your unique rhythms, you’ll find not just survival, but the potential to thrive. 🌱 Let’s normalize these conversations in the workplace. What does sustainable leadership look like for you? Share your thoughts or experiences below! #Leadership #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery #NeurodivergentLeadership #EmotionalRegulation #SustainableLeadership

Neurodivergent Burnout: A Leader's Journey to Equilibrium As a coach working with neurodivergent leaders, I’ve seen firsthand how burnout doesn’t just impact productivity—it challenges identity, emotional regulation, and the capacity to lead effectively. For those navigating high-stakes leadership roles while managing ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent traits, burnout often manifests uniquely: Cognitive Overload: The brain needs a break, not just the body. Executive function takes a hit, making complex decisions and planning feel insurmountable. Emotional Dysregulation: Masking emotions to "fit in" or "lead well" isn’t the same as emotional regulation. Eventually, it breaks down, impacting relationships and resilience. Inertia Misunderstood: That "stuck" feeling isn’t laziness or procrastination—it’s a system reset. Recognizing and honoring this inertia is key to long-term sustainability. One of the most profound realizations I’ve witnessed is the need for leaders to redefine rest. Rest isn’t always about doing nothing—it’s about finding grounding activities that soothe and reset an overtaxed nervous system. For some, it’s as simple as baking, walking, or gardening. These moments of intentional inertia aren’t a sign of weakness but a step toward equilibrium. As neurodivergent leaders, creating a sustainable leadership style requires: Building self-compassion into the workday. Designing work environments that accommodate cognitive and emotional needs. Challenging productivity guilt to embrace periods of low activity as necessary recalibration. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to lean into the logic of inertia. It’s okay to find your balance, even if that balance looks different from traditional leadership norms. When you embrace your unique rhythms, you’ll find not just survival, but the potential to thrive. 🌱 Let’s normalize these conversations in the workplace. What does sustainable leadership look like for you? Share your thoughts or experiences below! #Leadership #Neurodiversity #BurnoutRecovery #NeurodivergentLeadership #EmotionalRegulation #SustainableLeadership

Some thoughts on why some leaders prefer to keep their diagnosis’ confidential.

Understanding Sensory Stacking in Autism: A Key to Supporting Neurodiverse Colleagues In the workplace, understanding sensory processing differences can be a game-changer, especially when working with colleagues on the autism spectrum. One crucial concept is "sensory stacking"—the cumulative effect of multiple sensory inputs that can lead to overload. What is Sensory Stacking? Sensory stacking happens when various stimuli—such as noise, light, touch, or even smells—build up throughout the day, overwhelming an individual’s ability to process them. It’s not always immediate; an individual with autism might seem fine early on, but as stimuli accumulate, they can become overwhelmed later in the day. This delayed impact can lead to cognitive fatigue, diminished focus, and even visible signs of distress. Why it Matters in the Workplace Cognitive Fatigue: The mental strain of processing accumulated sensory inputs can affect decision-making and communication. Behavioral Shifts: Increased stress can lead to avoidance behaviors, which might be misunderstood by colleagues as disengagement. Inconsistent Performance: Due to the sensory load, an individual’s performance might vary, making flexibility and understanding essential. How Can Leaders and Teams Help? Create Sensory-Friendly Environments: Reduce noise, dim bright lights, and offer quiet spaces to prevent sensory overload. Offer Sensory Breaks: Encourage regular breaks to allow decompression and reset the sensory system. Develop a Sensory Strategy: Implement a "sensory diet" of planned activities that help neurodivergent individuals maintain balance and avoid stacking. By recognizing and addressing sensory stacking, organizations can support neurodivergent colleagues in managing their sensory experiences, leading to a more inclusive and effective workplace. #Neurodiversity #InclusionMatters #SensoryProcessing #InclusiveWorkplaces #AutismAwareness #Leadership #pricklypear Feel free to reach out if you'd like to explore how to make your workplace more neuro-inclusive!

Focus on neurodivergent people in the workplace is growing. In our latest newsletter we discuss #neurodiversityatwork and #neurodiverseleadership. #neurodiversity #neurodiverse

#discipline #neurodivergent #dothework #neurodivergence

#neurodiverse #neurodiversity #neurodiverseleader #listening #empathy #work

#Priorities #TimeManagement #Neurodiversity #Neurodiverse

Check out the latest issue of our newsletter for an article on #Communication and #DigitalBodyLanguage for the #Neurodiverse.