5: Theo's Friday Neurodiversity Roundup

This weeks round up includes some of my travels to Cologne for the first time to the Pirate Summit and a mix of opinions on recruitment, annual reviews and how to deal with being neurologically unique.

Saturday - ADHD over the edge we go

ADHD brain 🧠

Just one more cartwheel 🤸 ♂️

and over the cliff edge we go 🤦 ♂️

Sometimes self regulation is the tricky part of having a highly energised mind.

Not knowing when to put on the brakes to support our own energy levels, and capacity to keep going and not burn out.

This high level of energy and ability to hyper focus on tasks that interest us can be a Superpower, but it can also be explosive and send us reeling off the edge of a cliff.

Knowing this about yourself can be key to success across a number of areas in your life.

Sunday - Not so reasonable, reasonable adjustments

When you tell your manager the office is too noisy.

So they provide you with some noise cancelling headphones!

Adjustments may seem reasonable, but are they practical and do they create unwanted attention?

If people ask for help, they are doing it for a reason.

So help....

Monday - Hiring on Merit

Don’t attract someone who is ADHD because you think they are - HIGH ENERGY 🏃

Don’t source someone who is Autistic because you think they have - A COMPUTER BRAIN 🤖

Don’t hire someone who is Dyslexic because you think they will be - SUPER CREATIVE 💡

Attract, source and hire them on merit!

Just make sure your process is inclusive and accommodates for all thinking types.

And if you don't know how to do that I might know a thing or two to help 😉

Tuesday - It's okay to want to be alone

Just wanted to let you know it's okay:

- To want to be alone

- To need to switch the white noise off

- To take a breath of fresh air

- To need a quite space to switch off

I do some of my most creative work in the office. But it can be overwhelming.

Equally I can do some of my most productive work remotely or at home, but need to connect with people.

The balance and choice are key to our success.

Wednesday - The Pirate Summit

This week I was blessed to be in Cologne for the pirate Summit where startup founders and investors come to share experiences and and offer support to one another in a truly unique event.

I believe startups and scaleups have a huge part to play in creating a more neuroinclusive world. So it was a special privilege to be able to present to them on Neurodiversity.

Day one complete at the PIRATE Summit 🦾

Neurodiversity presentation keynote complete 👍

Special time with two incredible people Marian M.P. Temelkov and Stoyan Yankov 😎

- It's been incredible sharing the burning man experience

- Meeting investors and hearing their challenges and opportunities

- Learning from founders about their creative businesses and focus on raising funds for the next stage of growth

- Getting lessons on mindfulness and how to be a more caring entrepreneur

Creating a better and more sustainable world through business...

Appreciate the invite to speak and engage at this highly unique event.

Thank you Michelle George and Manuel Koelman 🏴 ☠️ for the invite :O)

Thursday - Bin the annual review

Just saying that the annual employee review was created to manage the bottom 10% of the workforce out of the business via a ranking system!

I can't remember what I did last week, let alone over the last year!

If you're ND it's a pretty horrible process 😱

Actually lets face it it's a pretty horrible process for everyone involved 🤪

So let's start:

- Keeping in touch more often

- Really caring about how someone is doing and just because they are smiling doesn't mean they are having a good time

- Help people track their progress in a meaningful way that ads value to them

And if at all possible throw the annual review where it belongs 🗑️

Thank you :O)

Well I hope you've enjoyed my weekly roundup and I welcome your comments, thoughts, insights or you're welcome just to continuing quietly reading in the background.

Hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

See you same time next week :O)

Theo Smith

Neurodiversity Evangelist at Dynamis Group,

Neurodiversity advocate, founder of Neurodiversity at Work Ltd & Neurodiversity World, author of ‘Neurodiversity at Work: Drive Innovation, Performance and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce’  and podcast host of Neurodiversity – Eliminating Kryptonite & Enabling Superheroes!